banshee
1 synonym for banshee, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose mournful wailing is said to warn a household that a death is coming.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use banshee
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
scream like a banshee
wail like a banshee
Etymology
From Irish bean sí, literally "woman of the fairy mound," via Old Irish ben síde. The word entered English in 1771.
Full origin of banshee →Frequently asked questions
What does “banshee” mean?
The word “banshee” means in Irish folklore, a female spirit whose mournful wailing is said to warn a household that a death is coming. In plain terms, a wailing female ghost from Irish legend that supposedly signals an approaching death; also used loosely for anyone letting out a piercing scream.
How do you pronounce “banshee”?
“Banshee” is pronounced ban-SHEE (/bænˈʃiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “banshee” in a sentence?
Here is “banshee” used in a sentence: “According to the old story, a banshee wailed outside the house the night before his grandfather died.”
What part of speech is “banshee”?
“Banshee” is a noun.
Where does the word “banshee” come from?
The word “banshee” dates back to around 1771 and comes from Old Irish. From Irish bean sí, literally "woman of the fairy mound," via Old Irish ben síde. The word entered English in 1771.
How many meanings does “banshee” have?
“Banshee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Irish folklore, a female spirit whose mournful wailing is said to warn a household that a death is coming.
