Poltergeist
Noisy invisible haunter
A poltergeist is a ghost or supernatural entity believed to cause physical disturbances—knocking sounds, objects moving or flying, furniture overturned.
The word comes from German for "noisy ghost." Unlike apparitions that merely appear, poltergeists make their presence known through chaos: The family blamed a poltergeist for the dishes crashing to the floor.
The term sometimes applies figuratively to any mysterious source of disruption.
Striking to announce presence
- levitationUnsupported aerial suspension
- objectsTangible items or protests
- thrownPropelled by arm
- furnitureMovable room objects
moving · doors · slamming · noise · disturbance · rattling · banging · flickering
Apparition of the dead
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- specterGhostly threatening presence
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
manifestation · entity · supernatural · possession · séance · medium · occult · ectoplasm
One who studies systematically
- parapsychologyStudy of extrasensory phenomena
- debunkingProving claims false
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
evidence · documentation · recording · EMF · camera · witness · testimony · skeptic
- HooperBarrel-ring maker
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- 1982A calendar year
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
static · suburban · clown · sequel · remake · cursed · production · trilogy
Playfully causing trouble
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- GermanicOf Teutonic language stock
- pranksterSomeone who plays tricks
- malevolentHarboring ill will
invisible · household · pestering · tormentor · restless · vengeful · unfinished business · adolescent
knocking
Striking to announce presence
- levitationUnsupported aerial suspension
- objectsTangible items or protests
- thrownPropelled by arm
furniture · moving · doors · slamming · noise · disturbance · rattling · banging · flickering · lights
ghost
Apparition of the dead
apparition · manifestation · entity · supernatural · possession · séance · medium · occult · ectoplasm · paranormal
researcher
One who studies systematically
- parapsychologyStudy of extrasensory phenomena
- debunkingProving claims false
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
fraud · evidence · documentation · recording · EMF · camera · witness · testimony · skeptic · believer
Spielberg
television · static · suburban · clown · sequel · remake · cursed · production · trilogy · closet
mischievous
Playfully causing trouble
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- GermanicOf Teutonic language stock
- pranksterSomeone who plays tricks
malevolent · invisible · household · pestering · tormentor · restless · vengeful · unfinished business · adolescent · puberty
- 1982 FilmsE.T., Blade Runner, Tootsie, Gandhi, First Blood
- GermanGermany, Austria, Switzerland, German, Berlin
- Horror FilmsThe Exorcist, Halloween, The Shining, Friday the 13th, Night of the Living Dead
- 80s Pop CultureBack to the Future, E.T., Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, The Breakfast Club
- Film FranchisesStar Wars, James Bond, Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Indiana Jones
- 1982E.T., Thriller, Blade Runner, Tron, Falklands War
Poltergeistguardian angel
Protective spirit assigned individually
protective spirit · friendly ghost · spirit guide · holy spirit · Casper
- poltergeist activityNoisy spirit phenomena