# wight

/ˈwaɪt/ (US) · /wˈaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wight
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a living person or a creature. In old stories or games, it often refers to a scary ghost or an undead monster.

For teachers: a living being or creature; in modern fantasy contexts, specifically an undead or supernatural entity. Often carries a literary or archaic tone when referring to humans.

## Examples

- The old stories tell of a lonely wight living in the hills.
- In the tabletop game, the adventurers encountered a wight guarding the entrance to the ancient tomb.
- The poet describes a 'luckless wight' wandering through the forest, using the term to evoke a sense of historical distance and melancholy for the character's fate.

## Usage notes

- Primarily found in fantasy literature, role-playing games, or archaic poetry; rarely used in modern speech.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.