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ghastly

Adjective
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Ghastly describes something frightening, grisly, or horrifying; it can also mean extremely pale or deathlike in appearance.

Detailed Definition
Ghastly is a strong descriptive word often used in Gothic or poetic writing. In this poem it intensifies the image of the soul changed into a frightening, ghostlike presence.
Example
Example in poetry:
“This fiend, whose ghastly presence ever” makes ghastly modify an uncanny apparition; Unlike ghastly fears, ghastly presence describes what inspires fear; Gothic poetry uses the word for spectral atmosphere; A modern line: “The ghastly presence of smoke filled the hall.”
Additional Notes
The adjective “ghastly” is vivid and literary, and in this line it carries a spooky, specialized tone rather than ordinary description.; Found in the poem, O! there are spirits of the air by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Other Meanings of “ghastly”
Also Known As
horrific macabre dreadful
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