Ghastly vs. Ghostly — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 10, 2024
Ghastly refers to something horrifying or shockingly bad, while ghostly describes something resembling or characteristic of a ghost, often faint or eerie.
Difference Between Ghastly and Ghostly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ghastly describes something extremely unpleasant or shocking, such as a gruesome scene or a dreadful event. Ghostly, however, relates to ghosts or spirits and is used to describe something faint, eerie, or otherworldly.
Ghastly emphasizes the horrifying nature of something, suggesting revulsion or terror. Ghostly, by contrast, evokes an ethereal or spectral presence, as if resembling a ghost in appearance or atmosphere.
Ghastly is often used to characterize gruesome injuries, frightening events, or terrible conditions. Ghostly typically describes faint lights, pale figures, or sounds that seem supernatural.
Ghastly carries a strong negative connotation due to its association with horror and disgust. In contrast, ghostly can be neutral or negative, implying mystery and the supernatural.
While ghastly can apply to both tangible and intangible things, ghostly is almost exclusively used for visual or auditory phenomena that appear to come from the realm of spirits.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Horrifying, gruesome, or shockingly bad
Resembling or characteristic of a ghost
Connotation
Negative, associated with disgust
Neutral to negative, implying the supernatural
Application
Events, injuries, appearance
Sounds, lights, appearances
Visual/Auditory
Visual, affecting physical appearance
Visual and auditory, suggesting a ghostly presence
Usage
Describes shocking, dreadful scenes
Describes eerie, ethereal phenomena
Compare with Definitions
Ghastly
Extremely shocking or horrifying.
The survivors described the ghastly aftermath of the accident.
Ghostly
Faint and hard to perceive.
The ghostly light of the moon barely lit the path ahead.
Ghastly
Unpleasant or repulsive.
The ghastly smell of spoiled food filled the air.
Ghostly
Like a ghost, pale or faint.
A ghostly figure appeared through the fog.
Ghastly
Shockingly bad in quality.
The restaurant received ghastly reviews for its hygiene standards.
Ghostly
Eerie and supernatural in appearance.
They heard ghostly whispers echoing through the abandoned building.
Ghastly
Deathly pale or sickly in appearance.
Her face turned ghastly white upon hearing the news.
Ghostly
Associated with ghosts or spirits.
The old house had a ghostly atmosphere at night.
Ghastly
Causing strong feelings of revulsion or horror.
The ghastly tale made them shudder with fear.
Ghostly
Characterized by ethereal and otherworldly qualities.
Her ghostly beauty captivated everyone at the masquerade.
Ghastly
Causing shock, revulsion, or horror; terrifying
A ghastly murder.
Ghostly
Of, relating to, or resembling a ghost, a wraith, or an apparition; spectral.
Ghastly
Resembling a ghost; pale or pallid.
Ghostly
Of or relating to the soul or spirit; spiritual.
Ghastly
Extremely unpleasant or bad
"in the most abominable passage of his ghastly little book" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Ghostly
Of or pertaining to ghosts or spirits.
A ghostly figure with a hood
The graveyard was haunted by a ghostly figure of a young girl.
The ghostly moaning was heard from upstairs.
Ghastly
Like a ghost in appearance; death-like; pale; pallid; dismal.
Ghostly
Spooky; frightening.
A ghostly hush fell.
Ghastly
Horrifyingly shocking.
Ghostly
(archaic) Relating to the soul; not carnal or secular; spiritual.
A ghostly confessor
Ghastly
Extremely bad.
The play was simply ghastly.
Ghostly
Relating to the soul; not carnal or secular; spiritual; as, a ghostly confessor.
Save and defend us from our ghostly enemies.
One of the gostly children of St. Jerome.
Ghastly
In a ghastly manner.
Ghostly
Of or pertaining to apparitions.
Ghastly
Like a ghost in appearance; deathlike; pale; pallid; dismal.
Each turned his face with a ghastly pang.
His face was so ghastly that it could scarcely be recognized.
Ghostly
Spiritually; mystically.
Ghastly
Horrible; shocking; dreadful; hideous.
Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.
Ghostly
Like or being a phantom;
A ghostly face at the window
A phantasmal presence in the room
Spectral emanations
Spiritual tappings at a seance
Ghastly
In a ghastly manner; hideously.
Staring full ghastly like a strangled man.
Ghastly
Shockingly repellent; inspiring horror;
Ghastly wounds
The grim aftermath of the bombing
The grim task of burying the victims
A grisly murder
Gruesome evidence of human sacrifice
Macabre tales of war and plague in the Middle ages
Macabre tortures conceived by madmen
Ghastly
Gruesomely indicative of death or the dead;
A charnel smell came from the chest filled with dead men's bones
Ghastly shrieks
The sepulchral darkness of the catacombs
Common Curiosities
Is ghastly always about visual things?
No, it can describe dreadful conditions or events, not just visual horrors.
Can ghostly describe sounds?
Yes, ghostly can describe eerie or faint sounds that evoke a supernatural atmosphere.
What's the key difference between ghastly and ghostly?
Ghastly refers to something horrifying or shockingly unpleasant, while ghostly is more about resembling or characteristic of a ghost.
Does ghastly describe medical conditions?
Yes, it can describe extreme illnesses that result in a sickly or pale appearance.
Can ghostly be used positively?
It can, especially when describing ethereal or mysterious beauty.
What kind of appearance does ghostly imply?
Ghostly suggests something pale, faint, and otherworldly, often barely visible.
Is ghostly always negative?
Not always, though it generally implies something eerie or mysterious.
Can ghastly refer to places?
Yes, ghastly places often have a horrifying atmosphere due to decay, tragedy, or neglect.
Can ghastly be used to describe stories?
Yes, especially for gruesome or terrifying tales.
Is ghostly similar to spectral?
Yes, both imply the ethereal or spectral qualities associated with ghosts.
Do ghastly and ghostly have historical associations?
Both terms have historical ties to beliefs in the supernatural, with ghastly rooted in terror and ghostly in spectral apparitions.
Can something be both ghastly and ghostly?
Potentially, if it’s both horrifying and faintly supernatural in nature.
Can ghastly apply to humor?
Sometimes, as in describing poor-quality jokes that are shockingly bad.
Is ghostly used in scientific contexts?
No, ghostly is typically used in creative or descriptive writing rather than scientific contexts.
Do both words have supernatural connections?
Yes, ghastly and ghostly both have connections to fear and the supernatural.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
