phantom
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1phan·tom
noun \ˈfan-təm\Definition of PHANTOM
1
a : something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition b : something elusive or visionary c : an object of continual dread or abhorrence <the phantom of disease and want>
2
: something existing in appearance only
3
: a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal <she was a phantom of delight — William Wordsworth>
— phan·tom·like \-ˌlīk\ adverb or adjective
See Examples of PHANTOM
- The book is about the phantoms that are said to haunt the nation's cemeteries.
- The crisis is merely a phantom made up by the media.
Origin of PHANTOM
Middle English fantosme, fantome, from Anglo-French fantosme phantasm
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PHANTOM
Rhymes with PHANTOM
2phantom
adjectiveDefinition of PHANTOM
1
: of the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom : illusory
2
: fictitious, dummy <phantom voters>
Examples of PHANTOM
- People claim to have seen a phantom ship floating on the lake.
- A number of ballots from phantom voters had to be thrown out.
First Known Use of PHANTOM
15th century
Related to PHANTOM
- Synonyms
- chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic (also fantastical), fictional, fictitious, ideal, imaginal, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), notional, phantasmal, phantasmic, imaginary, pretend, unreal, visonary
Rhymes with PHANTOM
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