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

Attacks on oil infrastructure in the Gulf region and soaring oil prices are raising the spectre of a new oil crisis, although economists say we’re not quite there just yet.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 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

The mood on the convention floor was noticeably more upbeat than a year ago, when the spectre of tariffs cast clouds over the event.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Growth in India's IT back offices is slowing, stocks are underperforming, hiring has shrunk and wages have stagnated as the spectre of a new disruptor looms large.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

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