apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən 

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

apparitional

ˌa-pə-ˈri-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bogey
• bogie
• bogy
• familiar spirit
• ghost
• hant [dialect]
• haunt [chiefly dialect]
• materialization
• phantasm
• fantasm
• phantom
• poltergeist
• shade
• shadow
• specter
• spectre
• spirit
• spook
• sprite
• vision
• visitant
• wraith

Examples of apparition in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the many apparitions that have been reported here, the most popular include a Dutch woman, various headless spirits, and a kuntilanak (a female vampiric ghost known throughout Malaysian and Indonesian mythology). —Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2023

When darkness comes, the apparitions will be illuminated by shifting shadows, a scene guaranteed to frighten and chill. —Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023

Hikers and kayakers share the spectacular terrain with fanciful creatures derived from Bosch, but the Flemish-style apparitions appear no more menacing than the colorful blooms that dot many of the canvases. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023

The latest: Church tour: Biden on Friday toured the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland, where an apparition of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, John the Evangelist and angels is said to have appeared in 1879. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2023

Its age and history lead some to believe the building is haunted, but regardless of whether the drinking buddies there are apparitions or other Houstonians, La Carafe offers a one-of-a-kind lens into the city's past. —Lauren McDowell, Chron, 12 Apr. 2023

But all that history left room for apparitions to settle in. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2023

According to Commercial Truck Trader, some drivers say their apparitions can still be seen by the side of the road, holding hands and praying while dressed in their traditional habits. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2023

Stark white and sprawled on a bluff, the Queen-Anne-style pile seemed like an apparition from a bygone era—a universe away from the drab prairie-hugging bungalows of my Chicago suburb. —Nina Molina, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈrish-ən 

1

: an unusual or unexpected sight

2

: ghost