will-o'-the-wisp

American  

[wil-uh-thuh-wisp] / ˈwɪl ə ðəˈwɪsp /

noun

1. ignis fatuus.

2. anything that deludes or misleads by luring on.

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will-o'-the-wisp British  

/ ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp /

noun

1. Also called: friar's lantern, ignis fatuus, jack-o'-lantern. a pale flame or phosphorescence sometimes seen over marshy ground at night. It is believed to be due to the spontaneous combustion of methane or other hydrocarbons originating from decomposing organic matter

2. a person or thing that is elusive or allures and misleads

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Other Word Forms

• will-o'-the-wispish
  adjective
• willo'-the-wispish
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of will-o'-the-wisp

1600–10; originally Will (i.e., William) with the wisp; see wisp

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

will-o'-the-wisp

More myths would have surrounded the eerie blue glow of will-o'-the-wisp – methane from peat beds burning over the top of the marshes.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

In fairness to Itzkoff, it’s this very will-o’-the-wisp quality that makes Williams a tricky man to pin down.

From New York Times ● May 15, 2018

The idea of parliamentary elections, in principle scheduled for September, at this point is only a will-o’-the-wisp.

From Washington Times ● May 7, 2018

The eccentric Ingle would flash "The Bomber's" will-o'-the-wisp routine in so-called exhibitions held amid smoke-filled Sheffield social clubs that amounted to little more than Graham tormenting have-a-go drunks with his hands held behind his back.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 18, 2013

At this point, however, Dr. Pickett and his associates struck out on a new road instead of going along with other entomologists who continued to pursue the will-o’-the-wisp of the ever more toxic chemical.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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