Phantom Meaning
/ˈfæntəm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA ghost or apparition.
nounSomething apparently seen, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality; an image that appears only in the mind; an illusion or delusion.
Sentence Examples
I caught a glimpse of the phantom sitting behind the wheel.
The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ghostly ____ appeared in the old house at midnight, scaring the residents.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The children were convinced that a ____ haunted the old abandoned house at the end of the street.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English fantome, fanteme, from Old French fantosme, fantasme, from Latin phantasma (“an apparition, specter; (in Late Latin also) appearance, image”), from Ancient Greek φάντασμα (phántasma, “phantasm, an appearance, image, apparition, specter”), from φαντάζω (phantázō, “to make visible”). Doublet of phantasm.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] (it was the town's humour to be always gassing of phantom investors who were likely to come any moment and pay a thousand prices for everything) — “[…] Them rich fellers, they don't make no bad breaks with their money. […]”"
— 1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock:
"Paul pulled out the Phantom; niggas can't stand it but them hoes gonna come out."
— 2005, “Stay Fly”, in Jordan Houston, Darnell Carlton, Paul Beauregard, Premro Smith, Marlon Goodwin, David Brown, Willie Hutchinson (lyrics), Most Known Unknown, performed by Three 6 Mafia (featuring Young Buck, 8 Ball, and MJG), Sony BMG:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ghostly ____ appeared in the old house at midnight, scaring the residents.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The children were convinced that a ____ haunted the old abandoned house at the end of the street.