English · Word Candidate

phantom

/ˈfæntəm/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: phantoms

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A ghost or apparition.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Something apparently seen, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality; an image that appears only in the mind; an illusion or delusion.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Illusive.

Adjective

Examples

[…] (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. […]”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Fictitious or nonexistent.

Adjective

Examples

a phantom limb

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “phantom” mean?

A ghost or apparition.

Is “phantom” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.