noun
spectre
noun
1
A ghost or ghostly apparition; also, a looming threat or worry that haunts a situation.
"Visitors claim to have seen a spectre wandering the old castle halls."
"The spectre of layoffs hung over the office for months."
How to Use Spectre
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ghost, or figuratively, a scary possibility that keeps hanging over people's minds.
UK vs US
"Spectre" is the standard British and Australian spelling; American English usually writes it "specter."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the spectre of war
raise the spectre of
a ghostly spectre
Word Forms
spectres plural
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Visitors claim to have seen a _____ wandering the old castle halls.
Etymology
From French spectre, from Latin spectrum ("appearance, image"), from specere ("to look at") — the same root as "spectacle" and "inspect."