Definition

A ghost or spirit that appears to people, often causing fear or unease.

Example

The old house was said to be haunted by a specter that roamed the halls at night.

Conversation

Have you ever felt like there's a specter following you at night?

Yeah, I used to think that when I heard strange noises in my room.

It creeps me out just imagining a specter lurking around the corner.

I know, right? It’s just our imagination playing tricks on us.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Specter → It is derived from the Latin word "spectrum" (meaning appearance or image), which comes from "specere" (meaning to look or see). The word "specter" refers to an apparition or ghostly figure that one might see or perceive.

Memory Tip

Think of 'spectrum' as an 'appearance' or 'image' that you might see, which helps you remember that a 'specter' is a ghostly figure or apparition.

Visually Confused Words