apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən 

1

a

: an unusual or unexpected sight : phenomenon

strange apparitions in the sky

b

: a ghostly figure

reported seeing ghostly apparitions in the old house

2

: the act of becoming visible : appearance

the apparition of sunlight through the window

apparitional

ˌa-pə-ˈri-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bogey
• bogie
• bogy
• familiar spirit
• ghost
• hant [dialect]
• haunt [chiefly dialect]
• materialization
• phantasm
• fantasm
• phantom
• poltergeist
• shade
• shadow
• specter
• spectre
• spirit
• spook
• sprite
• vision
• visitant
• wraith

Examples of apparition in a Sentence

an eccentric who claimed to have photographed an apparition in her very own house

Recent Examples on the Web

An iconic apex predator appeared through thick fog like an apparition and cautiously watched a photographer in Yellowstone National Park, stunning video shows. —Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 12 Feb. 2025

Narrow beams of sunlight illuminate the torched frame of a single chair – like an apparition of the torturer who once stood there. —Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2025

The first episode shares tales from workers at Colorado's Wayne N. Aspinall Federal Building who've had brush-ins with mysterious cold spots and an apparition sporting a cowboy hat. —Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024

Phoenix Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop John Dolan this week announced a seven-year evangelization plan honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in the leadup to the 500th anniversary of the saint’s first apparition. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apparicion, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French appariciun "appearance," borrowed from Medieval Latin appāritiōn-, appāritiō "appearance, supernatural manifestation, Epiphany," going back to Late Latin, "appearance" (Latin, "service, attendance"), from Latin appāri-, variant stem of appārēre "to be visible, be evident, attend, serve" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at appear

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈrish-ən 

1

: an unusual or unexpected sight

2

: ghost