ghostly

1 of 2

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

ghostliness

2 of 2

noun

ghost·​li·​ness

ˈgōstlēnə̇s, 

-lin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being ghostly

Examples of ghostly in a Sentence

Adjective

A ghostly figure appears in the house at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But as his novel goes on, nighttime scenes and vivid memories are replaced by exchanges of purely expository dialogue, which seeks to explain to the reader, point by point, the book’s ghostly developments. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

The rapper, who has the small role of a bard in Nolan’s cinematic retelling of the Greek epic poem, weaves together Homer’s prose with modern lyricism on the ghostly track that alludes to Odysseus’ long journey. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026

Running that corner of the internet is the SIE crew, who have been dropping ghostly sub-10-minute EPs semi-regularly that really dial in on their hushed mania. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026

In the world of The East Palace, gwi-mae are the ghostly spirits of people who died with lingering remorse that keep them tied to the mortal world. — Kayti Burt, Time, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gostlines, from gostly + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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