Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
will-o-the-wisp
noun
/ˈwɪloʊ ðə wɪsp/
Definition
A phosphorescent light seen at night, typically over marshy ground, that misleads travelers. It is often associated with folklore as a mischievous spirit or ghostly light.
Examples
- Many hikers have claimed to have seen a will-o-the-wisp while walking through the foggy marshes.
- The eerie light seemed to dance just out of reach, like a will-o-the-wisp luring him deeper into the woods.
Meaning
The term ‘will-o-the-wisp’ refers to a phenomenon that appears as flickering lights in the dark, leading people astray both literally and metaphorically.
Synonyms
- Will-o’-the-wisp
- Ignis fatuus
