ghost story

noun

1
: a story about ghosts
2
: a tale based on imagination rather than fact

Examples of ghost story in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film features six interlinked ghost stories all tied to the mysterious Lanruo Temple, and is co-directed by Cui Yuemei, Liu Yuan, Xie Junwei, Zou Jing, Huang Heyu, and Liu Yilin. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025 The Innkeepers Year: 2011 Runtime: 1h 41m Director: Ti West The director of X and Pearl delivered his most underrated work in this early 2010s ghost story about a pair of employees (Sara Paxton & Pat Healy) working the final stretch of open days for a haunted hotel. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 May 2025 Those into antiques, cozy inns, historic Americana or ghost stories, will love it here. Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 15 June 2025 The new photo contrasts the January depiction of the president, which showed the president seemingly lit from below – drawing comparisons to a camper with a flashlight under their chin telling ghost stories – and casting what could be perceived as a menacing stare at the lens. Alana Wise, NPR, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ghost story

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghost story was in 1730

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghost story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghost%20story. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ghost story

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!