ghost
/ɡəʊst/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡəʊst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgōst/ (ame, mw) · /ɡoʊst/ (ame, ipa)
ghost — noun
- ghostsingular
- ghostsplural
1. the supposed form of someone who has died, which some people claim appears to li
the supposed form of someone who has died, which some people claim appears to living people as a sight or sound.
The old castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of a medieval king.
be haunted by the ghost of [person]
Amihan told her younger brother not to be afraid of ghosts hiding under the bed.
Some visitors claim to have seen a ghost walking through the hospital's main hallway.
In the old film, the ghost appears only when the clock strikes midnight.
Benjamin felt a sudden cold wind and wondered whether a ghost was standing nearby.
- spirit
broader term; can refer to any non-physical being, not only the dead
- specter
more literary; often suggests a frightening or threatening ghost
- apparition
emphasises the sudden or strange appearance of a ghost-like figure
2. an unpleasant memory from the past that continues to affect someone's present li
an unpleasant memory from the past that continues to affect someone's present life or feelings.
The ghost of the financial crisis still affects the local housing market.
the ghost of [negative event] + affect
Ravindra felt the ghost of his failed relationship every time he walked past the park.
The ghost of past mistakes continued to damage the company's reputation years later.
Ayesha could not escape the ghost of her childhood in that small town.
文法句型
ghost of [something bad]
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'of' and a noun phrase referring to a past event or situation. The ghost is not a real spirit but a figurative memory that feels present.
常見錯誤
3. a very small amount or slight sign of something, especially an emotion or qualit
a very small amount or slight sign of something, especially an emotion or quality.
There was not a ghost of a chance that the team would win the match.
not a ghost of a chance
A ghost of a smile crossed Elena's face when she heard the good news.
a ghost of a smile
Hassan thought he saw a ghost of recognition in the stranger's eyes.
The old photograph showed only a ghost of an image that was barely visible.
文法句型
a ghost of [something]
not a ghost of a [noun]
用法筆記
Used in fixed expressions like 'a ghost of a + noun' or 'not a ghost of a + noun'. The noun is typically something abstract such as 'a chance', 'a smile', or 'a hope'.
常見錯誤
4. a person employed to write a book, article, or speech for another person who the
a person employed to write a book, article, or speech for another person who then publishes it under their own name.
The famous singer hired a ghost to write her autobiography.
hire a ghost to write
Many politicians rely on ghosts to prepare their public speeches.
Christopher worked as a ghost for a well-known novelist for over five years.
The publisher refused to reveal the names of the ghosts who wrote the series.
- ghostwriter
the full, more formal term for the same role
- co-writer
someone who writes with another and is credited, unlike a ghost who is not named
- author
the credited writer who is named on the work
用法筆記
Commonly shortened from 'ghostwriter'. The word 'ghost' alone in this sense is informal and used mainly in the publishing industry.
ghost — verb
- ghostpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ghosts3rd person singular
- ghosting-ing form
- ghostedpast simple
1. to create a book, speech, or other written piece for someone else, who then pres
to create a book, speech, or other written piece for someone else, who then presents it as their own work.
Élise ghosted the memoirs of a retired general who could not write well.
ghost [text] for [person]
The journalist ghosted several articles for the senator's weekly newspaper column.
Owen was paid ten thousand dollars to ghost a business leader's self-help book.
Tanvi had ghosted three bestselling novels before anyone knew her real name.
- co-write
implies shared credit, while 'ghost' implies the writer remains unnamed
文法句型
ghost + [text] + for + [person]
用法筆記
The subject writes the text, and the object is the text itself. The credited author is typically introduced by 'for'. This sense is most common in publishing and journalism contexts.
2. to suddenly stop all communication with someone you have a personal or romantic
to suddenly stop all communication with someone you have a personal or romantic relationship with, without giving them any explanation.
Walid ghosted his date after only two weeks of texting each other.
ghost + person after [period]
Paloma was heartbroken when her best friend ghosted her without any warning.
Roya told her roommate that ghosting someone is a cruel way to end a friendship.
After three interviews, the company ghosted the candidates instead of sending a rejection letter.
- respond
to reply to someone's messages or calls
文法句型
ghost + [person]
get ghosted
用法筆記
This is a relatively new usage that became common with online dating apps and texting. The subject stops all communication including phone calls, texts, and social media messages. Often used in passive voice: 'I got ghosted.'
常見錯誤
3. to move in a smooth, quick, and silent way that makes you very difficult to noti
to move in a smooth, quick, and silent way that makes you very difficult to notice.
The cat ghosted across the garden wall without making a single sound.
ghost across/through [place]
Min ghosted through the dark hallway to avoid waking the sleeping baby.
A small fishing boat ghosted silently over the lake under the bright moonlight.
The dancer ghosted across the stage so lightly that the audience barely noticed her entrance.
- stomp
to walk heavily and noisily
文法句型
ghost + across/through/over + [place]
用法筆記
Always used with a directional prepositional phrase (across, through, over, along). The movement is characterised by smoothness and near-silence. This sense is most common in literary and descriptive writing.
4. to continue to appear in someone's thoughts or affect their life in a troubling
to continue to appear in someone's thoughts or affect their life in a troubling way for a long period of time.
The memory of the car accident still ghosts Ingrid whenever she drives at night.
[memory/event] + ghost + person
Karim's past failures continued to ghost him during every new project he started.
A deep feeling of regret ghosted the family for years after the terrible argument.
The question of what really happened to their missing friend ghosted the whole local community.
文法句型
[memory/feeling] + ghosts + [person]
用法筆記
This is a less common and more literary meaning of 'ghost'. The subject is usually an abstract thing like a memory, doubt, or feeling. It is similar to 'haunt' but emphasises the persistent, pursuing quality of the feeling.