apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən How to pronounce apparition (audio)
Synonyms of apparition
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 How to pronounce apparition (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of apparition

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Title granted to the Virgin Mary in honor of her apparitions to three shepherd children (Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto and Venerable Lucia dos Santos) in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 The location was a former sugarcane plantation notorious for cruelty, and accounts of apparitions in the water are a reminder of this history. — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 After the vocal chorus, Astaire sees an apparition—Pan, costumed in Halloween drag. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 The spacecraft encounters transformed a disappointing naked-eye apparition into a landmark scientific campaign. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apparition

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of apparition was in the 15th century

Rhymes for apparition

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Browse Nearby Words

apparent wind
apparition
apparitional
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Cite this Entry

“Apparition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparition. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

apparition

noun
ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈrish-ən How to pronounce apparition (audio)
1
: an unusual or unexpected sight
2
: ghost
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