phantasmal

[ fan-taz-muhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of a phantasm; unreal; illusory; spectral:

   phantasmal creatures of nightmare.

Other Words From

• phantas·mali·ty noun
• phan·tasmal·ly phan·tasmi·cal·ly phantas·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phantasmal¹

First recorded in 1805–15; phantasm + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Until now, such figures have stridden the phantasmal plains of American folklore and popular culture.

From The Daily Beast

Much of this Friedrich's life has gone off like the smoke of fire-works, has faded sorrowfully, and proved phantasmal.

From Project Gutenberg

We seemed to be ploughing aimlessly through the phantasmal sand-dunes of another world, faintly and by an accident apprehended.

From Project Gutenberg

Shadowy shapes, phantasmal shadows Are upon the wind projected.

From Project Gutenberg

These crowded bridges, his desolate surroundings, assumed a phantasmal quality for Garth.

From Project Gutenberg

Brood in tenderness over the hearts of the anxious, the miserable, the victims of phantasmal fear and morbid imaginings.

From Project Gutenberg