apparition

ap·pa·ri·tion | \ ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən

How to pronounce apparition (audio)

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Definition of apparition

1a : 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

Other Words from apparition Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about apparition

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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 on the Web Cox wore a black tuxedo gown and mesh gloves over manicured hands—a glamorous apparition from pre-COVID days. — Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, "Chase Strangio’s Victories for Transgender Rights," 12 Oct. 2020 The property was once a hospital, and some guests now report seeing the apparition of a woman in white in the halls. — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, "The Most Haunted Cities in America and the Ghosts That Call Them Home," 26 Sep. 2020 It’s age, the passing of time and the crumbling of plaster, that formed the apparition of a young woman who lived, without aging, frozen between the third and fourth floors. — Scott Korb, Longreads, "Lloyd’s Mattress," 26 May 2020 In the doorway appeared a flame-haired apparition in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, a cigarette dangling from her lips. — Guy Trebay, BostonGlobe.com, "Roberto Faraone Mennella, jewelry innovator, 48," 11 June 2020 His body nothing more than an apparition, imperceptible in this space. — Jeremy O. Harris, New York Times, "Jeremy O. Harris: Brandon Taylor ‘Subjugates Us With the Deft Hand of a Dom’," 18 Feb. 2020 The annual prayer service also commemorates the final apparition of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. — Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "What’s happening in Park Ridge: Maine South homecoming parade steps off Saturday; ‘Micro Marathon,’ Rosary in the Park scheduled," 2 Oct. 2019 Eventually, a chapel, school and convent were built near the site of the apparitions in Robinsonville, a tiny community now named Champion located about 15 miles northeast of Green Bay. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Coronavirus changed so much at Wisconsin's Marian apparition shrine. But people still come for peace, solace.," 26 Mar. 2020 Grief is love’s backward apparition standing behind you in the mirror. — Kyle Whitmire, al, "In grief for normal life," 24 Mar. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near apparition

apparent volume

apparent weight

appassionatamente

Statistics for apparition

Last Updated

20 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Apparition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparition. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for apparition

apparition

noun

English Language Learners Definition of apparition

formal : a ghost or spirit of a dead person

See the full definition for apparition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

apparition

ap·pa·ri·tion | \ ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən

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Kids Definition of apparition

2 : an unusual or unexpected sight What it was, whether bear or man … the terror of this new apparition brought me to a stand.— Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island

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