Apparition vs. Ghost — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
An apparition is a supernatural appearance, often vague or fleeting, while a ghost is believed to be the spirit of a lost person, perceived as more defined and lingering.
Difference Between Apparition and Ghost
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An apparition refers to any supernatural appearance, including figures of people or animals, which can be unclear or fleeting. Whereas, a ghost specifically pertains to the spirit of a deceased person, often depicted with more defined features or characteristics linked to their previous life.
While apparitions can appear in various forms and are not limited to human shapes, ghosts are primarily associated with human spirits. Apparitions might manifest as lights, shadows, or indistinct figures, indicating a broader category of phenomena, whereas ghosts often retain human-like qualities, reflecting their earthly existence.
Apparitions are usually considered omens or portents, sometimes appearing to convey a message or warning, without the intent to interact directly with the living. On the other hand, ghosts are often thought to have unfinished business or unresolved issues from their life, leading to their presence among the living.
In terms of perception, people may experience apparitions suddenly and briefly, making them harder to analyze or understand. Ghosts, however, are reported to interact with the physical environment, such as moving objects or making sounds, suggesting a more tangible presence.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A supernatural appearance, often vague or fleeting.
The spirit of a deceased person, usually lingering longer.
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Forms
Can appear as people, animals, lights, or shadows.
Primarily human-shaped, with recognizable traits.
Purpose/Interaction
Often viewed as omens or portents with minimal interaction.
Believed to have unfinished business or desire for interaction.
Duration
Typically brief and sudden.
Can linger for an extended period.
Cultural Perception
Varies widely, can be benign or ominous.
Consistently seen as spirits of the gone.
Compare with Definitions
Apparition
Not limited to human forms.
They claimed to have seen an apparition of a spectral animal in the woods.
Ghost
Believed to interact with the physical world.
The ghost allegedly moved objects around the room.
Apparition
Often brief and fleeting.
An apparition appeared on the roadside, only to disappear moments later.
Ghost
Perceived across various cultures.
Ghost stories are a staple of folklore in cultures around the world.
Apparition
A supernatural appearance of a figure.
The apparition vanished before she could take a closer look.
Ghost
Associated with unfinished business.
Legend has it the ghost won’t rest until her murder is avenged.
Apparition
Vague or indistinct appearances.
The room was filled with an eerie light, like some ghostly apparition.
Ghost
Often depicted with human-like characteristics.
Witnesses reported seeing a ghost that resembled the portrait of a long-deceased general.
Apparition
Can signify a portent or omen.
The apparition of a comet was taken as an omen of change.
Ghost
Act as ghostwriter of (a work)
His memoirs were smoothly ghosted by a journalist
Apparition
A ghostly figure; a specter.
Ghost
Glide smoothly and effortlessly
They ghosted up the river
Apparition
A sudden or unusual sight
"[The designer's] indoor-outdoor reversals and juxtapositions call forth a Magritte apparition beneath a Miami moon" (Herbert Muschamp).
Ghost
End a personal relationship with (someone) by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication
I didn't want to ghost her, so we ended up having ‘the talk’ and it was horrible
People who ghost are primarily focused on avoiding their own emotional discomfort
Being ghosted is one of the toughest ways to be dumped
Apparition
The act of appearing; appearance.
Ghost
A person's spirit or soul
Was sick for months and finally gave up the ghost.
Apparition
An act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility.
Ghost
A returning or haunting memory or image.
Apparition
The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.
Ghost
A slight or faint trace
Just a ghost of a smile.
Apparition
An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; especially something such as a ghost or phantom.
The attic is haunted by the ghostly apparition of a young girl who died there.
Ghost
The tiniest bit
Not a ghost of a chance.
Apparition
(astronomy) The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; opposed to occultation.
Ghost
An unwanted image on a television or radar screen caused by reflected waves.
Apparition
(astronomy) A period of consecutive days or nights when a particular celestial body may be observed, beginning with the heliacal rising of the body and ending with its heliacal setting.
Ghost
A displaced image in a photograph caused by the optical system of the camera.
Apparition
The act of becoming visible; appearance; visibility.
The sudden apparition of the Spaniards.
The apparition of Lawyer Clippurse occasioned much speculation in that portion of the world.
Ghost
An unwanted spectral line caused by imperfections in a diffraction grating.
Apparition
The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.
Which apparition, it seems, was you.
Ghost
A displaced image in a mirror caused by reflection from the front of the glass.
Apparition
An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom.
I think it is the weakness of mine eyesThat shapes this monstrous apparition.
Ghost
(Informal) A ghostwriter.
Apparition
The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; - opposed to occultation.
Ghost
A nonexistent publication listed in bibliographies.
Apparition
A ghostly appearing figure;
We were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us
Ghost
A fictitious employee or business.
Apparition
The appearance of a ghostlike figure;
I was recalled to the present by the apparition of a frightening specter
Ghost
(Physiology) A red blood cell having no hemoglobin.
Apparition
Something existing in perception only;
A ghostly apparition at midnight
Ghost
(Informal) To engage in ghostwriting.
Apparition
An act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly;
Natives were amazed at the apparition of this white stanger
Ghost
To move noiselessly like a ghost
“Two young deer ghosted out of the woods” (Nancy M. Debevoise).
Ghost
To haunt.
Ghost
(Informal) To ghostwrite
Was hired to ghost the memoirs of a famous executive.
Ghost
The spirit; the human soul.
Ghost
Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image.
Not a ghost of a chance
The ghost of an idea
Ghost
A false image formed in a telescope, camera, or other optical device by reflection from the surfaces of one or more lenses.
Ghost
An unwanted image similar to and overlapping or adjacent to the main one on a television screen, caused by the transmitted image being received both directly and via reflection.
Ghost
A ghostwriter.
Ghost
A nonexistent person invented to obtain some fraudulent benefit.
Ghost
(Internet) An unresponsive user on IRC, resulting from the user's client disconnecting without notifying the server.
Ghost
(computing) An image of a file or hard disk.
Ghost
(theatre) An understudy.
Ghost
(espionage) A covert (and deniable) agent.
Ghost
The faint image that remains after an attempt to remove graffiti.
Ghost
(video games) An opponent in a racing game that follows a previously recorded route, allowing players to compete against previous best times.
Ghost
Someone whose identity cannot be established because there are no records of him/her.
Ghost
(quantum physics) An unphysical state in a gauge theory.
Ghost
A formerly nonexistent character that was at some point mistakenly encoded into a character set standard, which might have since become used opportunistically for some genuine purpose.
Ghost
(countable) ghost pepper
Ghost
(uncountable) A game in which players take turns to add a letter to a possible word, trying not to complete a word.
Ghost
White or pale.
Ghost slug
Ghost
Transparent or translucent.
Ghost ant
Ghost catfish
Ghost
(attributive) Abandoned.
Ghost town
Ghost ship
Ghost
(attributive) Remnant; the remains of a(n).
Ghost cell
Ghost crater
Ghost image
Ghost
(attributive) Perceived or listed but not real.
Ghost cellphone vibration
Ghost pain
Ghost island
Ghost voter
Ghost
(attributive) Of cryptid, supernatural or extraterrestrial nature.
Ghost rocket
Ghost deer
Ghost
(attributive) Substitute.
Ghost writer
Ghost singer
Ghost
To haunt; to appear to in the form of an apparition.
Ghost
(obsolete) To die; to expire.
Ghost
(literary) To imbue with a ghost-like hue or effect.
Ghost
(ambitransitive) To ghostwrite.
Ghost
(nautical) To sail seemingly without wind.
Ghost
(computing) To copy a file or hard drive image.
Ghost
(GUI) To gray out (a visual item) to indicate that it is unavailable.
Ghost
To forcibly disconnect an IRC user who is using one's reserved nickname.
Ghost
(intransitive) To appear or move without warning, quickly and quietly; to slip.
Ghost
(transitive) To transfer (a prisoner) to another prison without the prior knowledge of other inmates.
Ghost
(slang) To kill.
Ghost
To perform an act of ghosting: to break up with someone without warning or explanation; to ignore someone, especially on social media.
Ghost
(film) To provide the speaking or singing voice for another actor, who is lip-syncing.
Ghost
The spirit; the soul of man.
Then gives her grieved ghost thus to lament.
Ghost
Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image; a phantom; a glimmering; as, not a ghost of a chance; the ghost of an idea.
Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Ghost
A false image formed in a telescope by reflection from the surfaces of one or more lenses.
And he gave up the ghost full softly.
Jacob . . . yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people
Ghost
To die; to expire.
Ghost
To appear to or haunt in the form of an apparition.
Ghost
A mental representation of some haunting experience;
He looked like he had seen a ghost
It aroused specters from his past
Ghost
A writer who gives the credit of authorship to someone else
Ghost
A suggestion of some quality;
There was a touch of sarcasm in his tone
He detected a ghost of a smile on her face
Ghost
Move like a ghost;
The masked men ghosted across the moonlit yard
Ghost
Haunt like a ghost; pursue;
Fear of illness haunts her
Ghost
Write for someone else;
How many books have you ghostwritten so far?
Common Curiosities
What is a ghost?
A ghost is believed to be the spirit of a deceased person, sometimes interacting with the living or the physical environment.
What is an apparition?
An apparition is a supernatural appearance, which can be of a person, animal, or other figures, often fleeting and vague.
Are all ghosts considered apparitions?
Yes, ghosts can be considered a subset of apparitions as they are a type of supernatural appearance.
Can apparitions be harmful?
Most apparitions are not considered harmful, though some cultures may view them as bad omens.
Can apparitions be considered ghosts?
Some apparitions might be considered ghosts if they take on human-like forms and are identified as spirits of the deceased.
How do cultures around the world view ghosts?
While the concept of ghosts is nearly universal, their characteristics, behaviors, and implications vary significantly across cultures.
How do ghost stories impact culture?
Ghost stories contribute to cultural heritage, encapsulating beliefs about the afterlife, morality, and the supernatural.
Do apparitions always signify something?
Apparitions can be seen as omens or portents, though their meanings vary widely across different cultures.
What causes people to see ghosts or apparitions?
Explanations range from spiritual beliefs to psychological phenomena, with some attributing sightings to environmental factors or personal experiences.
Can animals see ghosts or apparitions?
Some believe that animals, particularly pets, can sense or see ghosts and apparitions, though this is not scientifically proven.
Do apparitions appear to everyone?
Apparitions may not appear to everyone; sightings are often reported by individuals or small groups.
What role do ghosts play in literature and media?
Ghosts in literature and media explore themes of loss, redemption, horror, and the human desire to understand the afterlife.
Is it possible to communicate with a ghost?
Many believe it is possible to communicate with ghosts, often through mediums or specific rituals, though such practices are widely debated.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
