fantom

[ fan-tuh m ]

/ ˈfæn təm /

noun, adjective

phantom.

Nearby words

fantasyland, fanti, fantin-latour, fantoccini, fantod, fantom, fantoosh, fanum fortunae, fanweed, fanwise, fanwort

Definition for fantom (2 of 2)

phantom

or fan·tom

[ fan-tuhm ]

/ ˈfæn təm /

noun

an apparition or specter.

an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a dream image, mirage, or optical illusion.

a person or thing of merely illusory power, status, efficacy, etc.: the phantom of fear.

an illustration, part of which is given a transparent effect so as to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view, as the inner workings of a mechanical device.

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of a phantom; illusory: a phantom sea serpent.

Electricity. noting or pertaining to a phantom circuit.

named, included, or recorded but nonexistent; fictitious: Payroll checks were made out and cashed for phantom employees.

Origin of phantom

1250–1300; Middle English fantosme < Middle French, Old French < Latin phantasma phantasm

SYNONYMS FOR phantom

5 imaginary.

ANTONYMS FOR phantom

5 real, material.

Related forms

phan·tom·like, adjective

Synonym study

1, 2. See apparition.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fantom

Mr. Fantom believed, not in proportion to the strength of the evidence, but to the impudence of the assertion.
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More
When they sat down, Mr. Fantom was not a little out of humor to see his table in some disorder.
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More
"I see plain enough what it is," said Mr. Fantom, sitting down again without the least emotion.
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More
Mr. Fantom coolly replied, "that the impertinent retort of a drunken footman could not spoil a system."
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More

The instant he opened the parlor door he eagerly cried out, "Where is the poor woman, Mr. Fantom?"
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More

British Dictionary definitions for fantom (1 of 2)

fantom

/ (ˈfæntəm) /

noun

an archaic spelling of phantom

British Dictionary definitions for fantom (2 of 2)

phantom

/ (ˈfæntəm) /

noun

an apparition or spectre
(as modifier)a phantom army marching through the sky

the visible representation of something abstract, esp as appearing in a dream or hallucinationphantoms of evil haunted his sleep

something apparently unpleasant or horrific that has no material form

med another name for manikin (def. 2b)

Word Origin for phantom

C13: from Old French fantosme, from Latin phantasma phantasm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for fantom (1 of 2)

fantom

[ făn′təm ]

n.

Variant ofphantom

Medicine definitions for fantom (2 of 2)

phantom

n.

Something apparently seen, heard, or sensed, but having no physical reality.

An image that appears only in the mind; an illusion.

A model, especially a transparent one, of the human body or of any of its parts.

adj.

Resembling, characteristic of, or being a phantom; illusive.

Fictitious; nonexistent.