phantom

1 of 2

noun

phan·​tom ˈfan-təm 

1

a

: something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition

b

: something elusive or visionary

c

: an object of continual dread or abhorrence

the phantom of disease and want

2

: something existing in appearance only

3

: a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal

she was a phantom of delight

—William Wordsworth

phantomlike

ˈfan-təm-ˌlīk 

adverb or adjective

phantom

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom : illusory

2

: fictitious, dummy

phantom voters

Synonyms

Noun

• ghost
• apparition
• spirit

Adjective

• imaginary
• fictitious
• mythic
• mythical
• fictional
• fantasied

Examples of phantom in a Sentence

Noun

The book is about the phantoms that are said to haunt the nation's cemeteries.

The crisis is merely a phantom made up by the media.

Adjective

People claim to have seen a phantom ship floating on the lake.

A number of ballots from phantom voters had to be thrown out.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rubin hopes to tally these same sorts of deep-space particles, the kind that all of Earth is constantly microdosing, phantom starlight from the farthest reaches of the universe. —Michael Jones McKean, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025

At least until quarter to 2, when Lindsay Lohan whorls through the door like a raspy chaos phantom. —Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025

Adjective

These actively reduce phantom power draw which is the energy consumed by electronics even when they are turned off. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

There are about 3,600 bunkers on Sazan, armored cement mushrooms emerging from the vegetation or perched on mountaintops like lookouts against phantom American aircraft carriers or Soviet frigates. —Marzio Mian, The Dial, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fantesme, fantosme, fantome, fantom "what only seems to have reality or value, vanity, illusion, apparition, falsehood," borrowed from Anglo-French fantosme, fantasme — more at phantasm

Note: For the etymological relation between this word and phantasm, see the note at the latter word. The spelling with initial ph- is a restoration from the Greek source.

Adjective

Middle English fantom, from attributive use of fantosme, fantom phantom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing phantom

• phantom limb
• phantom pregnancy

Kids Definition

phantom

1 of 2 noun

phan·​tom ˈfant-əm 

: something (as a ghost) that seems to be there but is not real : apparition

phantom

2 of 2 adjective

1

: suggesting or being a phantom

2

: existing in name only : not real : fictitious

phantom voters

Medical Definition

phantom

1 of 2 noun

phan·​tom

variants also fantom

ˈfant-əm 

1

: a model of the body or one of its parts

2

: a body of material resembling a body or bodily part in mass, composition, and dimensions and used to measure absorption of radiations

phantom

2 of 2 adjective

variants also fantom

: not caused by an anatomical lesion

phantom respiratory disorders