Phantom

Pronunciation: /ˈfæntəm/

Phantom (noun)

  1. a ghost or spirit that people believe they see
  2. something that seems real but does not exist
  3. an invisible or hidden force affecting situations

Examples

  • The old house was rumored to be haunted by a phantom.
  • She claimed to have seen a phantom in the mirror.

Common collocations: phantom sighting, phantom haunting, phantom idea, phantom hope, phantom presence

Phantom (adjective)

  1. describing something that is not real or does not exist

Examples

  • The phantom pain lingered long after the injury healed.
  • He pursued a phantom goal that was unattainable.

Synonyms of Phantom

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Phantom

  • when contrasting with illusions or non-existence