poltergeist

noun

pol·​ter·​geist ˈpōl-tər-ˌgīst How to pronounce poltergeist (audio)
: a noisy usually mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises (such as rappings)

Did you know?

One of the tricks a poltergeist is known for is making "knocking" noises, so it will come as no surprise to learn that the word poltergeist translates literally from German as "knocking spirit." The German verb poltern means "to knock," and Geist is the German word for "spirit." Another Geist descendant in English is zeitgeist ("the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era"). The English word ghost is also related; it descends from the same ancient root that led to Geist. Although ghost has been used in English since before the 12th century, poltergeist is a relative newcomer, first appearing as an English word in the middle of the 19th century.

Examples of poltergeist in a Sentence

we thought a poltergeist was knocking dishes off the shelves, but it turned out to just be vibrations from passing trains
Recent Examples on the Web Except a poltergeist neatly organizing some papers. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2024 While Webber didn't specify when the poltergeist appeared in his home, the revelation comes after a busy time for the impresario, whose Phantom of the Opera musical took its final bow in April 2023 after 35 years on Broadway. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024 The case of the Seaford poltergeist went national and Life Magazine published an article about it. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023 He’s approached by Father Kent (Dallas native Owen Wilson) to help single mom Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son Travis (Chase Dillon) with a problem in their new home: It’s infested with poltergeists. Dallasnews.com Staff, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023 While three of the poltergeists insist on causing mayhem, Kat befriends Casper, a lonely child spirit. Claudia Guthrie, ELLE, 28 Aug. 2023 He’s approached by Father Kent (Owen Wilson) to help single mom Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her 9-year-old son Travis (Chase Dillon) with a small problem in their new home: an old manor infested with poltergeists. Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 25 July 2023 Entertainment & Arts Review: In the Ahmanson’s ‘2:22 - A Ghost Story,’ poltergeists are more believable than people Nov. 6, 2022 A strident perfectionist, Meredith has no sympathy for her brother-in-law’s inability to hold a job and keep a roof over his head. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2023 Both have reportedly claimed that a Skinwalker ranch poltergeist followed them home. Keith Kloor, Scientific American, 27 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poltergeist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German, from poltern to knock + Geist spirit

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poltergeist was in 1848

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Dictionary Entries Near poltergeist

Cite this Entry

“Poltergeist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poltergeist. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

poltergeist

noun
pol·​ter·​geist ˈpōl-tər-ˌgīst How to pronounce poltergeist (audio)
: a mischievous ghost thought to be the cause of mysterious noises (as rappings)

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