ghost story

American  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of ghost story

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

And then suddenly he does: This is a ghost story, a possession tale.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

So is this a ghost story, or a time loop, or a memory play?

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2024

The whole thing still seemed like some mythology or ghost story, but the more she thought about it, the realer it became.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older