What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
revenant
Example
The revenant appeared to his family in their dreams, warning them of danger. [revenant: noun]
Example
The old mansion was said to be haunted by the revenant of its former owner. [revenant: adjective]
wraith
Example
The wraith of the murdered victim appeared to the detective in his dreams, revealing the identity of the killer. [wraith: noun]
Example
The memory of her childhood home was like a wraith, haunting her thoughts and dreams. [wraith: metaphor]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wraith is more commonly used than revenant in everyday language, and it has a wider range of applications. Revenant is more limited to specific contexts, such as horror or fantasy literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between revenant and wraith?
Both revenant and wraith have a formal tone and are more likely to be used in written rather than spoken language. However, wraith may have a more poetic or romantic connotation that makes it suitable for creative writing or literary contexts.
