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poltergeist

noun
polĀ·​terĀ·​geist | \ Ėˆpōl-tər-ĖŒgÄ«st How to pronounce poltergeist (audio) \

Definition of poltergeist

: a noisy usually mischievous ghost held to be responsible for unexplained noises (such as rappings)
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about poltergeist

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Synonyms for poltergeist

Synonyms

apparition, bogey (also bogie), familiar spirit, ghost, hant [dialect], haunt [chiefly dialect], materialization, phantasm (also fantasm), phantom, shade, shadow, specter (or spectre), spirit, spook, sprite, vision, visitant, wraith

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Did You Know?

One of the tricks a poltergeist is known for is making "knocking" noises, so it will come as no surprise to learn that the word poltergeist translates literally from German as knocking spirit. The German verb poltern means "to knock, and "Geist" is the German word for "spirit." Another "Geist" descendant in English is "zeitgeist" ("the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era"). The English word ghost is also related; it descends from the same ancient root that led to "Geist." Although "ghost" has been used in English since before the 12th century, "poltergeist" is a relative newcomer, first appearing as an English word in the middle of the 19th century.

Examples of poltergeist in a Sentence

we thought a poltergeist was knocking dishes off the shelves, but it turned out to just be vibrations from passing trains

Recent Examples on the Web

 Of course, historic hotels have quirks that can range from tiny bathrooms ā€” most of these hotels were built in the days before indoor plumbing, after all ā€” to poltergeists. — Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, "Inn-Escapable: Peek inside Jacksonā€™s grand National Hotel," 7 Aug. 2019 The horror stories ā€” from paying $750 a month to occupy a poltergeist-ridden attic or $400 to live inside a wooden box ā€” are well documented and often mesmerizing. — Peter Holley, Washington Post, "Ever wonder how much tech workers get paid in your town? This map might have the answer.," 23 July 2019 The third installment in the series about Marioā€™s not-so-heroic brother vacuuming up poltergeists in a quest to find his brother is coming sometime next year. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Nintendo reveals Luigiā€™s Mansion 3 for the Switch is coming in 2019," 13 Sep. 2018 Both films focus on a different poltergeist case from the files of real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "19 of the Best Horror Movies to Stream RN," 2 Oct. 2017 Both films focus on a different poltergeist case from the files of real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "19 of the Best Horror Movies to Stream RN," 2 Oct. 2017 Both films focus on a different poltergeist case from the files of real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "19 of the Best Horror Movies to Stream RN," 2 Oct. 2017 Both films focus on a different poltergeist case from the files of real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "19 of the Best Horror Movies to Stream RN," 2 Oct. 2017 For about 20 years, the ultrasounds that were part of prenatal care showed a scratchy black-and-white image that looked like an old TV when the rabbit ears fell over and the poltergeist was trying to talk to you. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, "For a mother-to-be (and the dad, too), the ultimate gender-reveal party," 13 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poltergeist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of poltergeist

1848, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for poltergeist

German, from poltern to knock + Geist spirit

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More Definitions for poltergeist

poltergeist

noun
How to pronounce poltergeist (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of poltergeist

: a ghost that makes strange noises and causes objects to move

See the full definition for poltergeist in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on poltergeist

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with poltergeist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for poltergeist

Spanish Central: Translation of poltergeist

Nglish: Translation of poltergeist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poltergeist

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