Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for ghost story. Search instead for first story.
Synonyms

ghost story

American  

noun

ghost stories plural
  1. a tale in which such elements as ghostly visitations and supernatural intervention are used to further the plot and a chilling, suspenseful atmosphere.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of ghost story

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Strikingly, “Ghost-Eye” has none of the eerie mood of a Gothic novel or ghost story.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 11, 2026

“Presence” was a ghost story about teenage loneliness, filmed from the perspective of a spirit haunting the house a grieving family has just moved into.

From Salon Apr. 17, 2026

He and Koepp had previously collaborated on “Kimi” and the ghost story “Presence,” and Soderbergh liked that the script had broad appeal.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 12, 2025

In a time of twisty, “prestige” supernatural horror, the good, old-fashioned ghost story has fallen by the wayside.

From Salon Jan. 24, 2025

Cob and the others exchanged shaky smiles, like boys spooked by a ghost story.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training