will-o'-the-wisp

noun

ˌwil-ə-t͟hə-ˈwisp 

1

: ignis fatuus sense 1

2

: a delusive or elusive goal

will-o'-the-wisp adjective

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The Mystical Origins of Will-o'-the-Wisp

The will-o'-the-wisp is a flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas. In olden days, it was personified as "Will with the wisp," a sprite who carried a fleeting "wisp" of light. Foolish travelers were said to try to follow the light and were then led astray into the marsh. (An 18th-century fairy tale described Will as one "who bears the wispy fire to trail the swains among the mire.") The light was first known, and still also is, as ignis fatuus, which in Latin means "foolish fire." Eventually, the name will-o’-the-wisp was extended to any impractical or unattainable goal.

Examples of will-o'-the-wisp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the guitar-strumming will-o'-the-wisp Maria von Trapp, Julie Andrews taught us a few of her favorite things. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Will (nickname for William) + of + the + wisp

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for will-o'-the-wisp

• crisp
• lisp
• wisp

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Kids Definition

will-o'-the-wisp

noun

ˌwil-ə-t͟hə-ˈwisp

1

: a light that sometimes appears in the night over marshy ground

2

: a false or unreachable goal