What does ghost mean?
In modern English, a ghost most often means the supposed spirit or apparition of a dead person, as in traditional stories, folklore, and descriptions of haunted places. The word can also refer to a faint trace or lingering impression of someone who has left or died, as in “the ghost of an old friendship.” In technical contexts, a ghost may be a faint secondary image on a display or photograph. As a verb, “ghost” informally means to disappear from view or stop communicating, while in creative work it can mean to write or produce material for someone else without credit. The term carries strong associations with death, the supernatural, fear, and mystery, but it is also used playfully in phrases about memories, sounds, and traces that seem almost present. Its long history and wide range of figurative meanings make it a particularly evocative word.
The supposed spirit or apparition of a dead person; also, by extension, a trace or faint impression left by someone or something.
"Visitors said they had seen a ghost standing at the top of the stairs."
The figurative sense, meaning a faint trace or lingering influence, is common in both speech and writing.
To disappear from view or communication, especially without explanation; also, to write or do work for another person secretly and without credit.
"After the interview, the candidate simply ghosted the reporters."
The sense meaning to vanish is informal. The sense meaning to work uncredited is especially associated with writing, editing, and creative work.
The standard plural is ghosts, with no change to the final consonant.
"The stories describe ghosts that return to the same house every winter."
The word “ghost” is older than most ghost stories: it descends from Old English gāst, whose ghostly relative survives in German as Geist.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ghost come from?
The word descends from Old English gāst, originally meaning “breath, spirit, or soul,” and later especially the spirit of a dead person. It is cognate with Old Norse gástr and German Geist, both meaning “spirit,” and is historically related to guest through a common Germanic word family. The modern sense of an apparition developed gradually from earlier religious and literary uses of the word.
Related word forms
How ghost is actually used
The noun is standard in both British and American English. As a verb meaning to vanish without explanation, it is informal; as a verb meaning to secretly write or work for another person, it is common in publishing, media, and politics.
Easily confused with ghost
A guest is a visitor received by someone, whereas a ghost is a supposed spirit or apparition of a dead person; the words can be confused in spelling but have unrelated everyday meanings.