ghostly

adjective

ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē 

ghostlier; ghostliest

1

: of or relating to the soul : spiritual

2

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost : spectral

ghostliness noun

ghostly adverb

Examples of ghostly in a Sentence

A ghostly figure appears in the house at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wearing matching powder blue dresses and shoulder-length brown wigs with bangs pinned to the left, the married couple wore pale makeup adding to the ghostly look. — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Many of these ghostly impressions and meanings have survived to the present day. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026

And there’s this sort of strange, ghostly expectancy, which is quite weird, a mixture of apprehension and fear. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Who knows—your own ghostly gathering may ignite something that stands the test of time. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ghostly

• mostly

Kids Definition

ghostly

adjective

ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē 

ghostlier; ghostliest

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost

ghostliness noun