noun
specter
SPEHK-tuh
Also spelled spectre (UK spelling)
Specter (noun) means a ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom. Example: “A pale specter was said to wander the old corridor at night.”
noun
1
A ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom.
"A pale specter was said to wander the old corridor at night."
"The children swore they saw a specter drift past the window."
2
A frightening possibility or threat that looms over a situation.
"The specter of another recession hung over the meeting."
"They worked late into the night, haunted by the specter of failure."
How to use specter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ghost, or a scary idea/threat that keeps hanging over you even though it hasn't happened yet.
UK vs US
In UK and Australian English this is usually spelled "spectre"; American English prefers "specter."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the specter of war
a ghostly specter
raise the specter of
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Word forms
- Plural
- specters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pale _____ was said to wander the old corridor at night.
Etymology
From Middle French spectre, from Latin spectrum ("appearance, apparition") — the same Latin root that gives us "spectrum."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “specter” mean?
The word “specter” means a ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom. In plain terms, a ghost, or a scary idea/threat that keeps hanging over you even though it hasn't happened yet.
How do you pronounce “specter”?
“Specter” is pronounced SPEHK-tuh (/ˈspɛktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “specter” in a sentence?
Here is “specter” used in a sentence: “A pale specter was said to wander the old corridor at night.”
What part of speech is “specter”?
“Specter” is a noun.
Where does the word “specter” come from?
The word “specter” comes from Latin. From Middle French spectre, from Latin spectrum ("appearance, apparition") — the same Latin root that gives us "spectrum.".
How many meanings does “specter” have?
“Specter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom.
