ghostly white

USAGE SUMMARY

"ghostly white" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is very pale or has an eerie, spectral quality. Example: The fog rolled in, casting a ghostly white hue over the landscape. Alternative expressions include "pale white" and "deathly white."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

These images are mixed with others that contain snow-like elements: stalagmites at Carlsbad Caverns or piles of ghostly white sand at White Sands National Monument.

Los Angeles Times

Bare birch branches peeked out of the ghostly white mountains.

The New York Times - Travel

Another huge boat sat shrink-wrapped in ghostly white.

The New Yorker

One was ghostly white and, it seemed, dead.

The New Yorker

Hallinan's pasty face and ghostly white hair bear witness to a hard-lived sixty-six years.

The New Yorker

It was surprisingly thick and ghostly white, a twisted human rope.

The New Yorker

The afternoon sun washes through them in a mist of ghostly white.

The Guardian

The local climate is incredibly wet, adding a ghostly white cover to the giant trees.

The Guardian - Travel

Her powdered face was ghostly white; her lipstick was the color of a maraschino cherry.

The New Yorker

We flew over Tasman Bay, and then over the park, which was studded with ghostly white trees.

The New Yorker

The house was white, and seemed illuminated, as did the ghostly white fence and the silver silo.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ghostly white" to evoke a sense of eeriness, otherworldliness, or extreme pallor. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing where atmosphere and visual impact are crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "ghostly white" when you simply mean 'very pale' without any spectral or eerie connotations. In such cases, 'very pale' or a more specific shade of white (e.g., 'ivory', 'cream') would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ghostly white" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. It depicts something as having a pale, spectral, or eerie white color. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ghostly white" is a descriptive adjective phrase frequently found in news and media. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and used to evoke a pale, spectral image, often with eerie connotations. While its register is generally neutral, context can shift its formality. Consider alternative phrases like "ethereal white" or "spectral white" to fine-tune your writing and avoid unintended connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethereal white

Replaces "ghostly" with "ethereal", emphasizing the delicate and otherworldly quality of the white color.

spectral white

Substitutes "ghostly" with "spectral", highlighting the color's association with ghosts or spirits.

deathly pale

Uses "deathly" instead of "ghostly", stressing the extreme paleness and resemblance to death.

ghastly white

Replaces "ghostly" with "ghastly", suggesting a more unpleasant or horrifying paleness.

pallid white

Replaces "ghostly" with "pallid", focusing on the unhealthy or wan appearance of the white.

ivory white

Substitutes the entire phrase with "ivory white", indicating a creamy, slightly yellowish white, like the color of ivory.

alabaster white

Replaces the entire phrase with "alabaster white", referring to a smooth, translucent white, like the mineral alabaster.

bone white

Uses "bone" to describe the white color, implying a stark, lifeless shade of white.

chalky white

Replaces "ghostly" with "chalky", describing a dull, matte white color, like that of chalk.

ashen white

Substitutes "ghostly" with "ashen", suggesting a grayish-white color, similar to ashes.

FAQs

How can I use "ghostly white" in a sentence?

You can use "ghostly white" to describe objects or features that have an eerie, pale appearance. For example: "The moon cast a "ghostly white" light across the cemetery", or "Her face had a "ghostly white" pallor after the shock".

What are some synonyms for "ghostly white"?

Alternatives to "ghostly white" include "ethereal white", "spectral white", "deathly pale", and "pallid white". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ghostly white" an appropriate description for all shades of white?

No, "ghostly white" specifically suggests a pale or eerie white, often with connotations of the supernatural or unhealthy. It is not suitable for describing warm or vibrant shades of white.

What's the difference between "ghostly white" and "plain white"?

"Plain white" is a neutral descriptor for the color white. "Ghostly white", on the other hand, implies a specific type of white that is pale, perhaps translucent, and evocative of ghosts or the supernatural. Therefore, "ghostly white" carries a much stronger connotation.