Showing results for "spectre"

• a variation of specter.

spectre

British  

/ ˈspɛktə /

noun

1. a ghost; phantom; apparition

2. a mental image of something unpleasant or menacing

   the spectre of redundancy

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Etymology

Origin of spectre

C17: from Latin spectrum, from specere to look at

Explanation

A spectre is a ghost or spirit. If you see a spectre of the previous owners in your new house, get out quick! A spectre can also be a thought that haunts you. The word spectre (or specter) has to do with being haunted — it can be something that literally haunts you, like the ghost of your Aunt Sally who bangs the windows every night. You can also say that a reminder of something painful is a spectre. A spectre can also be a fear of something dreadful happening in the future, like the spectre of a second ice age. Spectre is generally the British spelling, while Americans prefer specter.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spectre

The latest strikes raised the spectre of renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia after years of relative calm between the two foes -- as well as fears of broader conflict in Yemen.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

The spectre hanging over Red Bull is that this level of performance is not what Max Verstappen expects, nor will it be enough to lock him into his contract for the next season.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

But the spectre of his demise will continue to haunt the party he once led.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

During major geopolitical crises, the spectre of a new oil shock resurfaced, with the price per barrel incorporating a "geopolitical risk premium," to reflect the probability that a conflict will cause a drop in supply.

From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026

But the spectre of delivering a speech brown-nosing the teachers jammed her imagination.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez