What does wraith mean?
A wraith is a ghost, spectre, or apparition, especially one encountered in a haunting, dreamlike, or ominous setting. The word is also used more broadly for anything that seems thin, ghostly, or barely present, as in a “wraith of smoke.” In Scottish and northern English folklore, a wraith can be a spectral figure whose appearance foretells the death of a living person. Modern writers generally employ the word for atmosphere rather than as a technical term for a particular supernatural being. Its strong associations with apparitions, premonitions, decay, and the border between life and death make it especially effective in fiction, poetry, and descriptions of places or people that appear remote, insubstantial, or unsettling. Although “wraith” is often treated as a synonym for “ghost,” it can carry a slightly more archaic and mysterious tone.
nounA wraith is a ghost, spectre, or apparition. By extension, it can refer to a person or thing that appears thin, ghostly, or barely visible.
- A ghost, spectre, or apparition.
- In Scottish and northern English tradition, a spirit believed to appear as an omen, especially of an approaching death.
- A person or thing perceived as thin, ghostly, or insubstantial.
"A pale wraith appeared at the window and vanished before he could speak."
"The old house was said to be haunted by a wraith who paced the upper landing."
"A wraith of smoke curled above the dying ember."
The standard plural adds -s.
"Pale wraiths drifted through the mist."
In Scottish tradition, a wraith may appear as a spectral warning that someone is about to die.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wraith come from?
The word is recorded in Scottish English in the early nineteenth century, where it referred to a ghost or apparition. Its precise deeper origin is uncertain, and etymological accounts do not support a confidently stated connection with any particular older language.
Related word forms
How wraith is actually used
The word is literary and poetic in general use, giving it a supernatural or atmospheric tone. Its sense of a spirit that foreshadows death is especially associated with Scottish and northern English traditions.
Easily confused with wraith
A wraith is a ghost or spectral figure, whereas a wreath is a ring or garland, especially of flowers or leaves.