Definition

A mental image or vision that is not real, often seen as a ghost or illusion.

Example

The haunted house was filled with phantasms that frightened the visitors.

Conversation

I had the strangest dream last night; it felt so real, almost like a phantasm.

That sounds intriguing! What happened in your dream?

I was walking through a forest, but everything looked like a phantasm—fuzzy and distorted.

Wow, that must have been a wild experience to wake up from!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Phantasm → It is formed from "phantasma" (from Greek "phantasma", meaning an appearance or a ghost) and the suffix "-ism" (indicating a state or condition). The word "phantasm" refers to a ghostly appearance or an illusion, embodying the idea of something that is not physically present but is perceived.

Memory Tip

Imagine a ghostly 'appearance' ('phantasma') that represents an illusion or something that seems real but isn't. This helps you remember that a phantasm is an illusion or a ghostly figure.

Visually Confused Words