phantasmagoric

Also phan·tas·ma·gor·i·cal
Sometimes phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al

[fan-taz-muh-gawr-ik, -gor-]

adjective

1. having a fantastic or deceptive appearance, as something in a dream or created by the imagination.

2. having the appearance of an optical illusion, especially one produced by a magic lantern.

3. changing or shifting, as a scene made up of many elements.

Other Word Forms

• phantasmagorically adverb
• phantasmagorially adverb
• phantasmagorianly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phantasmagoric¹

First recorded in 1800–10; phantasmagor(ia) ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

In phantasmagoric flashbacks, we learn that his family spilled blood in their foam.

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Ali makes these sort of phantasmagoric horror films, in a way.

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That two-and-a-half-minute-long video — Bushnell’s digital suicide note — is horrifying, phantasmagoric, and familiar in equal measure.

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Set in the aftermath of the first movie, the sequel resumes the story boldly and quickly, delivering visions both phantasmagoric and familiar.

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The costumes of the cachaceros, representing Africans, are phantasmagoric confections of old jaguar pelts, caiman skulls and peccary teeth.

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