phantasmagoric

[ 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 Words From

• phan·tas·ma·gor·i·cal·ly adverb
• phan·tas·ma·go·ri·al·ly phan·tas·ma·go·ri·an·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phantasmagoric¹

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

Example Sentences

The quaint little shop has a range of phantasmagoric linens, tablecloths, and blankets.

From The Daily Beast

But his work—phantasmagoric, schizophrenic, and unapologetically sexual—flourished all the while.

From The Daily Beast

Only the corsets of those roles foreshadowed the Gothic babe she would become, the tousled muse to the phantasmagoric Tim Burton.

From The Daily Beast

For a moment, he was closer to despair than at any other time in the whole phantasmagoric adventure.

From Project Gutenberg

The lightning flashed and leaped about like phantasmagoric demons, as if mocking the sailors in their frantic dread.

From Project Gutenberg

All was wonderful, admirable, phantasmagoric beyond his wildest and dearest expectations.

From Project Gutenberg

The night resolved itself into a weird phantasmagoric nightmare for me, a gigantic game of hide-and-seek, in which I was "it."

From Project Gutenberg

Her little world was phantasmagoric—strange shadows dancing on a sheet.

From Project Gutenberg