apparition

noun ap·pa·ri·tion \ ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Examples: apparition in a Sentence

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

See apparition defined for English-language learners

See apparition defined for kids

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

Some posit that the silent apparition with the Gibson Girl hair is the spirit of the 55 horses that perished on that terrible day.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "What’s behind ’60s-era paneling at El Korah Shrine? A ballroom’s worth of ’20s art.," 12 July 2018
Pope Francis has asked his envoy to a Bosnian shrine to stay on the job indefinitely to provide pastoral support to the millions of Catholics drawn there by reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

— Fox News, "Pope extends, expands mission of envoy to Medjugorje shrine," 1 June 2018
In season 2, Hannah appears in the form of a sort of apparition, who speaks only to Clay, as well as in flashbacks that further the other characters's narratives.

— claire dodson, Teen Vogue, "Katherine Langford Says "13 Reasons Why" Season 2 "Could Have Been Hannah's Last Chapter"," 25 May 2018
Five years later, the apparition appeared and continued to come back monthly to share messages through Lopez.

— meryl kornfield, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Woman who said she was visited monthly by the Virgin Mary dies," 12 June 2018
Aster does just fine with the compulsory horror elements: the eerie apparitions, paranormal threats, and things that go bump in the night (and day).

— noel murray, The Verge, "Netflix’s Before I Wake is the perfect film to stream after seeing Hereditary," 8 June 2018
Flaming apparitions appear, with a white-haired woman in the middle.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "'Hereditary': Toni Collette is the main attraction of this old school horror movie layered thick with original ideas," 6 June 2018
Roberts's contralto voice grounds a Lina set adrift in a confusing universe of puppets and apparitions.

— irene hsiao, Chicago Reader, "The four plays that make up Stories of the Body plumb the depths of women’s experience," 30 May 2018
Cars have backed up on Robbins Pond Road for over 50 years trying to see the phenomenon speculated to be a ghostly apparition, the Northern Lights or extraterrestrial beings.

— sharyn alden, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Northwoods lodges offer a nostalgic getaway," 18 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year