ghostly

adjective

ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē How to pronounce ghostly (audio)
ghostlier; ghostliest
1
: of or relating to the soul : spiritual
2
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost : spectral
ghostliness noun
ghostly adverb

Examples of ghostly in a Sentence

A ghostly figure appears in the house at night.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many of the ghostly tales stem from claims of tragic deaths like drownings, hangings, murders and freak accidents. Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 27 Oct. 2024 This unsettling encounter has since become one of the many ghostly tales that add to the hotel’s haunting legacy. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2024 Not just in flashbacks, not just as a ghostly apparition. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 30 June 2024 Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway is channeling New York with a scary twist by dressing up as a ghostly statue of liberty as Boo York City. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ghostly 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghostly was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ghostly

Cite this Entry

“Ghostly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghostly. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ghostly

adjective
ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē How to pronounce ghostly (audio)
ghostlier; ghostliest
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost
ghostliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ghostly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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