Ghost Meaning

UK /ɡəʊst/
US /ɡoʊst/
Word Definition
ghost meaning

Ghost Definition & Usage

noun

A spirit or apparition of a dead person, often believed to haunt certain places.

Examples

  • "Many people claim to have seen a ghost in the old mansion on the hill."
  • "The house was rumored to be haunted by the ghost of its original owner."
  • "She swore she saw a ghost in the mirror while getting ready for the party."
  • "The villagers spoke of the ghost that wandered the fields late at night."
  • "The ghostly figure disappeared into the fog before anyone could get a clear look."
noun

A person who is absent or who behaves in a way that makes them seem invisible or unnoticeable, often intentionally.

Examples

  • "He's been acting like a ghost lately, not answering anyone's calls."
  • "I looked around the party and noticed she was a ghost, blending into the background."
  • "Don't just ghost me after our date; at least text me back!"
  • "Where did you go? You vanished like a ghost after the meeting!"
  • "She was a ghost at work today, no one even saw her at her desk."
verb

To suddenly stop communicating with someone, typically in the context of relationships or friendships, without any explanation or notice.

Examples

  • "I thought everything was going great, but then she just ghosted me."
  • "He ghosted his friends after they moved to a new city."
  • "I sent a message, but it looks like he’s ghosting me now."
  • "Why did you ghost your ex after everything was so good?"
  • "It's rude to ghost someone, especially if you've been talking regularly."
noun

A faint, barely perceptible presence or trace of something, often used figuratively.

Examples

  • "There was a ghost of a smile on her lips as she left."
  • "A ghost of a memory kept haunting him, long after he had left the town."
  • "The ghost of the old tradition lingered, even though it was no longer practiced."
  • "I could still hear the ghost of their laughter in the empty room."
  • "A ghost of a thought crossed my mind, but I couldn’t quite grasp it."

Cultural Context

Ghosts have long been a part of folklore, mythology, and religious beliefs. In many cultures, they are seen as spirits of the deceased who have unfinished business or whose souls are stuck between worlds. The concept of haunting and spirits returning from the dead is common in both Western and Eastern traditions.

The Ghost of Yesterday

Story

The Ghost of Yesterday

Lena sat alone in the café, staring at the flickering candlelight. She hadn’t expected to see him again, but there he was, standing by the door like a ghost from her past. They hadn’t spoken in years, and yet here he was, with that familiar, regretful smile that had once haunted her dreams. ‘Are you just going to stand there, or do you want to talk?’ she asked, her voice trembling as she fought the rising flood of memories. He hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure he hadn’t been spotted by anyone else. ‘I didn’t mean to ghost you, you know,’ he said softly, taking a seat across from her. ‘It wasn’t intentional… just life got in the way.’ Lena raised an eyebrow. ‘Life got in the way? You didn’t even send a text. You just vanished, like a ghost.’ He sighed, looking down at his hands. ‘I know. I should have been better. It wasn’t fair to you.’ As they talked, Lena could almost feel the ghost of their past relationship lingering in the air between them. The good times they had shared, and the sudden disappearance that left her questioning everything. But in this moment, in the quiet of the café, Lena realized that some ghosts were better left in the past, and perhaps some things were never meant to be revived. As he stood to leave, he gave her one last look. ‘Goodbye, Lena,’ he whispered. But she didn’t answer. She had already let go of the ghost of their love, and now it was time to move on. In that moment, Lena understood that sometimes the ghost of something familiar is just a shadow, a memory, and no matter how much you try, some ghosts can never be brought back to life.

The Ghost of Yesterday