revenant

American  

[rev-uh-nuhnt] / ˈrɛv ə nənt /

noun

1. a person who returns.

2. a person who returns as a spirit after death; ghost.

3. a corpse reanimated by a supernatural force; an undead being.

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revenant British  

/ ˈrɛvɪnənt /

noun

1. something, esp a ghost, that returns

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Etymology

Origin of revenant

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “one returning from a long absence; ghost,” noun use of present participle of revenir “to return,” equivalent to re- “again” + ven(ir) “to come” + -ant present participle ending; see also re- -ant

Explanation

Use the word revenant to talk about someone who returns after a long absence. If your cat goes missing for weeks, only to stroll back into your house one morning, you could describe him as a revenant. Anyone who comes back after being gone for a long time can be described as revenant, which can be a noun or an adjective. You can even use revenant to talk about ghosts, in that they are said to be spirits of those returning from the dead, or a fashion trend from long ago that is popular again, like revenant tie-dye t-shirts. The word revenant comes from the French revenir, which means "to return."

Example Sentences

This reminded me, in Italian-American culture, of pastina — a grain that has deep, revenant importance throughout both Italy, America and many countries beyond that.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2024

Tulare Lake is not a phantom, but a revenant: that which returns.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2023

If you’re of a particular temperament - a true Music Head, for example - you can almost get spiritual about the revenant power represented by the history contained on all that vinyl.

From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2019

Love is a recurrent theme, often between a studious young man and an enigmatic beauty of unknown background who, alas, generally turns out to be a revenant or were-vixen.

From Washington Post • Jan. 29, 2019

I lift my weapon, focusing on Miss Duncan and trying to decide if she is indeed a revenant instead of thinking about the deep burning in my poor scrawny arms.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland