poltergeist

American  

[pohl-ter-gahyst] / ˈpoʊl tərˌgaɪst /

noun

1. a ghost or spirit supposed to manifest its presence by noises, knockings, etc.

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poltergeist British  

/ ˈpɒltəˌɡaɪst /

noun

1. a spirit believed to manifest its presence by rappings and other noises and also by acts of mischief, such as throwing furniture about

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Etymology

Origin of poltergeist

1840–50; < German Poltergeist, equivalent to polter ( n ) to make noise, knock, rattle + Geist ghost

Explanation

When you're home alone at night and hear a mysterious noise from above, it's much more likely to be mice in your attic than a poltergeist, which is a noisy ghost. You've probably come across poltergeists in scary movies and books, and with any luck you won't encounter one in real life. Stories describe them as particularly disruptive ghosts, known for making noise and throwing things around. The roots of the word poltergeist make perfect sense: poltern means "create a disturbance" in German, and geist means "ghost."

Example Sentences

On a more intimate scale, Gemma and Cady’s new Bay Area rental is a smart house where everything is a potential poltergeist, from the ice dispenser to the vacuum.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025

He said he also dealt with reports of poltergeist activity, which is the belief held by some people that a spirit or force can move furniture or throw objects around a house.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2024

Here’s what you should know about the mysterious rise and fall of the purported poltergeist.

From National Geographic • Sep. 19, 2023

Both have reportedly claimed that a Skinwalker ranch poltergeist followed them home.

From Scientific American • Jun. 27, 2023

“Exactly. I have always liked the notion that the American twins were actually a poltergeist phenomenon; certainly poltergeists can overshadow any more interesting manifestation. Bad ghosts drive out good.”

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson