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

The French composer leans into her music’s ghostly qualities on a score for a cult-favorite 1960 horror film, stitching together contrasting layers of sound to conjure the movie’s looming dread. — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026

As Samara Morgan, the lank-haired little girl dressed in white and possessing deadly supernatural powers, at just 12 years old Chase became the ghostly face of the film and its most recognizable character. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 June 2026

Digital bats trail light through the cave, passing bodies leave ghostly traces and a dancer materializes in space. — ABC News, 16 June 2026

Legend says a ghostly force pulls cars uphill, though science offers a less supernatural explanation. — Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 16 June 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