Ghastly

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɡɑːs(t).li/
• US IPA: /ˈɡæs(t).li/

Origin

From a derivation of Old English gǣstan ("to torment, frighten") with the suffix -lic. Equivalent to ghast/gast + -ly. Spelling with 'gh' developed 16th century from confusion with ghost; cf. also ghostly.

Full definition of ghastly

Adjective

1. Like a ghost in appearance; deathlike; pale; pallid; dismal.
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)Each turned his face with a ghastly pang.
• Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859)His face was so ghastly that it could scarcely be recognized.
2. Horrifyingly shocking.
• John Milton (1608-1674)Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.
• 1879, Richard Jefferies, The Amateur Poacher Chapter 1, They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect.
3. Extremely bad.
   The play was simply ghastly.

Synonyms

• lurid

Adverb

1. In a ghastly manner.He turned ghastly pale on hearing the news.