apparition

noun ap·pa·ri·tion \ ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of apparition

1 a : an unusual or unexpected sight : phenomenon

strange apparitions in the sky

b : a ghostly figure

reported seeing ghostly apparitions in the old house

2 : the act of becoming visible : appearance

the apparition of sunlight through the window

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apparitional

play \-ˈrish-nəl, -ˈri-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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Examples of apparition in a Sentence

an eccentric who claimed to have photographed an apparition in her very own house

Recent Examples of apparition from the Web

The oddest sighting is an apparition that appears to be half-wolf and half-man.

— AL.com, "The best-known ghost tale from each Alabama county," 25 Oct. 2017
In the 1990's, Ten Bells pub staff living above the pub reported seeing the phantom of a man dressed in Victorian clothing, even waking to find the apparition lying in bed next to them.

— michael democker, NOLA.com, "Jack the Ripper's haunts now a trendy neighborhood," 24 Oct. 2017
Give me a full-blown, on-her-knees breakdown on the steps of Sacré-Coeur, then Kristen Johnston showing up as an apparition or something.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "I Watched 'Sex and the City' for the First Time, and I Can't Understand Why You Like It So Much," 3 Apr. 2015
Explore historic sites on both sides of Ohio River to hear of past and present apparitions.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Haunted houses, pumpkin patches, dress-ups Halloween weekend," 26 Oct. 2017
The headless apparition of a woman was seen sitting in the backyard or walking down the street outside.

— michael democker, NOLA.com, "Jack the Ripper's haunts now a trendy neighborhood," 24 Oct. 2017
Another fan offered up a different explanation, suggesting the apparition was the ghost of the late Michael Jackson.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Kylie Jenner's Fans Think Freddy Krueger Is Stalking Her on Snapchat — See the Creepy Video," 24 Oct. 2017
One of the projects Rev. Tuyen Nguyen hopes the bishop-elect will become involved with is the construction of a shrine to Our Lady of La Vang, a Vietnamese Marian apparition.

— NBC News, "The Only Active Vietnamese-American Bishop Wants to Help Bring Diversity to the Church," 23 Oct. 2017
Transportation planners have appropriately chosen October, the official host month for specters and apparitions, to launch meetings on the possible resurrection of the commuter rail idea first posed in the twilight years of the 20th century.

— mark washburn, charlotteobserver, "Lake Norman’s phantom train teases believers," 15 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apparition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of apparition

Middle English apparicion, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French appariciun "appearance," borrowed from Medieval Latin appāritiōn-, appāritiō "appearance, supernatural manifestation, Epiphany," going back to Late Latin, "appearance" (Latin, "service, attendance"), from Latin appāri-, variant stem of appārēre "to be visible, be evident, attend, serve" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at appear

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First Known Use: 15th century

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