Pepper's ghost

noun

An illusionary technique used in theatres, at funfairs, etc. that uses a plate glass and special lighting techniques to make objects seem to appear or disappear.

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Meanings

nounPepper's ghost (plural Pepper's ghosts)

plural Pepper's ghosts

  1. An illusionary technique used in theatres, at funfairs, etc. that uses a plate glass and special lighting techniques to make objects seem to appear or disappear.

Origin

Named after John Henry Pepper, who attempted to popularize the effect.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Portuguese fantasma de Pepper
  • fantasma de Pepperan illusionary technique used to make objects appear or disappear
Cite this entry
APA

Pepper's ghost. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Pepper's%20ghost

MLA

“Pepper's ghost.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Pepper's%20ghost. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Pepper's ghost,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Pepper's%20ghost.

Source: Pepper's ghost on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.