phantom

UK: /ˈfæntəm/ US: /ˈfæntəm/ ,(fan′təm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

phan•tom /ˈfæntəm/   n. [countable]

1. Mythology an appearance of something that is not really there or does not exist, esp. a ghost.
2. Mythology an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a mirage or optical illusion.

adj. [before a noun]

3. of, relating to, or of the nature of a phantom:
   a phantom ship.
4. not really existing;
   fictitious:
   phantom employees on the payroll.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

phan•tom  (fan′təm), n. 

1. Mythology an apparition or specter.
2. Mythology an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a dream image, mirage, or optical illusion.
3. a person or thing of merely illusory power, status, efficacy, etc.:
   the phantom of fear.
4. an illustration, part of which is given a transparent effect so as to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view, as the inner workings of a mechanical device.

adj. 

5. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a phantom;
   illusory:
   a phantom sea serpent.
6. Electricity noting or pertaining to a phantom circuit.
7. named, included, or recorded but nonexistent;
   fictitious:
   Payroll checks were made out and cashed for phantom employees.

Also, fantom. 

• Latin phantasma phantasm
• Middle French, Old French
• Middle English fantosme 1250–1300

phan′tom•like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. See apparition. 
• 5. imaginary.

Antonyms

• 5. real, material.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

phantom / ˈfæntəm/ noun

1. an apparition or spectre
2. (as modifier): a phantom army marching through the sky
3. the visible representation of something abstract, esp as appearing in a dream or hallucination: phantoms of evil haunted his sleep
4. something apparently unpleasant or horrific that has no material form

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French fantosme, from Latin phantasma phantasm

ˌphantoˈmatic adjective