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

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Why then, when discussing body image after weight changes, is our culture reaching for the language of vexing apparitions and death? — Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Venus, on the other hand, reaches its highest altitude in the western evening twilight during June for this current apparition and captures the gaze of millions. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 June 2026 Those themes are alive here, as the ghosts who visit Depp’s Scrooge are intricate, terrifying apparitions not suitable for the whole family. — Brent Lang, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026 There certainly seem to be apparitions in this music, some presence apart from the four musicians and the throngs of fans, which is intensified by the visceral collision of so many sounds. — Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 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

See All Rhymes for apparition

Browse Nearby Words

apparent wind
apparition
apparitional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apparition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparition. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

More from Merriam-Webster on apparition

Nglish: Translation of apparition for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All