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ghastly Definition

ghastly (gastlē, gäst-)

adjective -·lier, -·li·est

  1. horrible; frightful
  2. ghostlike; pale; haggard
  3. Informal very bad or unpleasant

Etymology: ME gastli < gast, frightened, pp. of gasten, to frighten < OE gæstan < gæst, var. of gast (see ghost): meaning infl. in ME by gostlich, ghostly

ghastly Related Forms
ghast·li·ness noun
ghastly Synonyms

ghastly

modif.

  1. Like a ghost

    spectral, wan, wraithlike, pallid, ashen, grim, deathlike, corpselike, funereal, cadaverous, ghostly, unearthly, weird, unnatural, supernatural, uncanny, grisly, gruesome, macabre.

    Antonyms natural, real, substantial.

  2. Terrifying

    hideous, horrible, frightening; see frightful 1.

  3. *Unpleasant

    repulsive, disgusting, abhorrent; see offensive 2.

ghastly Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • word: Had there been any attacks it would have been too ghastly for words.

Infinitive complement

  • contemplate: In Zimbabwe, the Press particularly the print media is at crossroads with consequences ghastly to contemplate.

Modifies a noun

  • spectacle: Such a gory, ghastly spectacle would frighten the children out of their senses, I should think.
  • pale: They told me you were down in the spirit, and that you were of a ghastly pale.
  • mess: The whole ghastly mess must be made even bigger!
  • sight: Beneath the pointed black hat, Jesse spied a ghastly sight.
  • smile: He heard them say He was an exile with a ghastly smile, And murmured not--but rose and left the city.
  • mistake: The judges decision is final, and if we've made a ghastly mistake and excluded you then we're very sorry.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: You must have something pretty ghastly on your conscience to make such a fuss about my trusting you.
  • truly: In due course 109 separate entities, each created to carry some aspect of truly ghastly past pain, would identify themselves.
  • absolutely: Yes it is absolutely ghastly, I can't bear to have it again.
  • rather: Most of the party were smoking, and drinking champagne; a feverish hilarity reigned, with sudden and rather ghastly pauses.
  • too: Had there been any attacks it would have been too ghastly for words.
  • so: Tube journeys are so ghastly these days, you've got to have something to distract you.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: When dad came through the back gate he looked ghastly.
  • feel: I felt ghastly - this was the start of the lowest period in my life.
  • sound: Balfour: Gosh that sounds ghastly, what could you be referring to?
ghastly Quotes

Ear byth egle eorla gehwylcun. The grave isghastly to every man.

—Anonymous

What we gain by science is, after all, sadness, as the Preacher saith.Themore weknowofthelaws and nature of the Universe the more ghastly a business we perceive it all to beöand the non-necessity of it.

—Hardy,Thomas

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