C2nounartspsychology
US/ˈfæn.təm/
UK/ˈfæn.təm/
a ghost, or something that seems real but exists only in the mind
In context
Villagers say the phantom of a young woman walks the old road at night.
After the surgery he still felt pain in a phantom limb.
For years he chased a phantom, the dream of a perfect life.
Words that go with phantom
noun + noun
- phantom limbDoctors study phantom limb pain to help amputees.
- phantom painHe suffers from phantom pain after losing his leg.
- phantom shipSailors told tales of a phantom ship in the fog.
- phantom figureA phantom figure seemed to move behind the window.
adjective + noun
- pale phantomA pale phantom drifted across the empty hall.
verb + noun
- chase a phantomInvestors who chase a phantom rarely get rich.