will-o'-the-wisp

A form of will o' the wisp — Any of several kinds of pale, flickering light, appearing over marshland in many parts of the world with diverse folkloric explanations and multiple possible scientific explanations including bioluminescence and chemiluminescence.

Similar
friar's lanternignis fatuusjack-o'-lantern
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Meanings

noun
  1. alternativeAlternative spelling of will o' the wisp.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground

Similar
friar's lanternignis fatuusjack-o'-lantern
Broader
lightvisible lightvisible radiation

nounan illusion that misleads

Similar
ignis fatuus
Broader
illusionfantasyphantasy
Also see
friar's lanternignis fatuusjack-o'-lantern

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

will-o'-the-wisp. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/will-o'-the-wisp

MLA

“will-o'-the-wisp.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/will-o'-the-wisp. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “will-o'-the-wisp,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/will-o'-the-wisp.

Source: will-o'-the-wisp on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.