ghosts - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
ghosts Word Meanings
- a spirit of a dead person
- a shadowy presence
- something that haunts someone
ghosts Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
ghosts Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɡəʊst/
US
/ɡoʊst/
ghosts Word Etymology
ghost = ‘spirit’ (from Old English 'gāst', related to Proto-Germanic *gaistaz). Originated from Germanic languages, reaching English through Middle English. Imagine a semi-transparent figure floating through walls, representing a soul lost between worlds.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I step into a quiet room and pull the door shut, feeling the air cool a little as a shadow slides along the wall. I shift my gaze and let the room push back with silence, sensing a presence that feels like a ghost moving between light and dark. I change my pace, hold my breath and keep my hands steady as the thing seems to hover near the edge of sight. I place my attention on the warmth in my chest and let it drift, not explain it, but notice how it changes how I act in the dark.
Real Context
Ghost is a noun that most people recognize as the spirit or soul of a dead person, but its usage goes beyond a literal entity. It can describe a shadowy presence, a lingering feeling, or something that haunts a person emotionally or mentally. In conversation you might say a house feels haunted by a ghost, or a memory lingers like a ghost of the past. Writers use the word for metaphorical echoes as well, from ghost stories to phrases like ghost town or the ghost of a rule. Culturally, ghosts appear in folklore, literature, and film, often mixing fear with mystery and unresolved history.
Usage Reminders
- - Ghost refers to a spirit or an eerie presence, not a living person.
- - Distinguish ghost from phantom or spirit in nuance.
- - 'Haunt' is a verb; 'haunted' describes a place or experience.
- - Common phrases: ghost story, ghost town, ghost of a memory.
- - Plural is ghosts; do not spell as ghostes.
Common Misconceptions
- Ghost always means a scary, visible creature.
- Ghost refers only to dead persons, not figurative uses.
- If something feels eerie, you must say 'ghost' rather than a metaphor.
- All ghosts are supernatural; there is no mundane use.
- Ghost and ghoul are interchangeable in everyday English.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often treat ghost as both folklore symbol and real figure, with clear distinctions from terms like phantom or spirit; learners sometimes mix metaphoric uses with literal meanings.
Learning Tips
- Build a mental map: ghost as spirit, like a presence in a space or memory.
- Practice with common collocations: ghost story, ghost town, ghost of a memory.
- Learn the verb to ghost someone as contemporary slang with care.
- Differentiate ghost from phantom and spirit in nuance.
- Notice cultural examples in folklore and film to deepen sense of tone.
- Remember plural: ghosts.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'ghosts'?
A.An empty room
B.People who scare others
C.Invisible spirits of the dead
D.A type of food
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'ghosts' correctly?
A.She ghosts her friends at the coffee shop.
B.The ghosts in the movie were very funny.
C.He had ghosts for dinner last night.
D.The ghosts played soccer in the park.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'ghosts'?
A.Animals
B.Phantoms
C.Trees
D.Mountains
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'ghosts'?
A.Humans
B.Life
C.Movement
D.Light
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario that relates to 'ghosts'?
A.Last Halloween, they told scary stories about spirits.
B.The kitten chased a butterfly in the garden.
C.He bought groceries from the store.
D.She painted a beautiful landscape.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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