VocabDictionary

wraithlike

/ˈreɪθ.laɪk/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Resembling a ghost or specter; thin, pale, or insubstantial in appearance.

Example Sentences:
  • The wraithlike figure drifted silently through the mist-covered graveyard.
  • After months of illness, she had become a wraithlike shadow of her former self.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “wraithlike”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'wraith' (a spirit or ghost), likely of Scandinavian origin related to the Old Norse 'vörðr' meaning 'guardian' or 'watchman.' The suffix '-like' was added in the 19th century to describe something possessing the ethereal, insubstantial, or haunting qualities of a specter.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'wraith' (ghost) that is 'like' a shadow—thin, pale, and barely there.

Frequently Asked Questions About “wraithlike

1. What is the meaning of “wraithlike” in English?

In English, wraithlike (adjective) is defined as: “Resembling a ghost or specter; thin, pale, or insubstantial in appearance.”.

2. How do you use “wraithlike” in a sentence?

The wraithlike figure drifted silently through the mist-covered graveyard.

3. What are English synonyms of “wraithlike”?

Common synonyms include:spectral,ethereal,ghostly,insubstantial,gaunt

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “wraithlike”?

Derived from the Middle English 'wraith' (a spirit or ghost), likely of Scandinavian origin related to the Old Norse 'vörðr' meaning 'guardian' or 'watchman.' The suffix '-like' was added in the 19th century to describe something possessing the ethereal, insubstantial, or haunting qualities of a specter.