Banshee
noun /ˈbæn.ʃiː/ — A spirit whose wailing announces a death
Definition
In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose wailing or keening announces the imminent death of a member of a family — the voice of fate before the event.
Beyond the definition
The sound that you hope you will never hear — because it means the worst has already been decided, only not yet experienced.
Origin & history
From Irish 'bean sídhe' (woman of the fairy mound) — 'bean' (woman) + 'sídhe' (of the fairy mound). The sídhe were the supernatural people of ancient Irish belief.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She screamed like a banshee — the kind of sound that reached the neighbours.
There are family names in Irish tradition that the banshee is said to follow — a distinction no one seeks.
The alarm went off with a banshee shriek that tore through three floors of the building.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Banshee” when the meaning fits your context: In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose wailing or keening announces the imminent death of a member of a family — the voice of fate before the event.
Synonyms
wailing spirit, death herald, keening spirit
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Banshee" mean?
Banshee is noun meaning: A spirit whose wailing announces a death. In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose wailing or keening announces the imminent death of a member of a family — the voice of fate before the event.
Where does the word "Banshee" come from?
From Irish 'bean sídhe' (woman of the fairy mound) — 'bean' (woman) + 'sídhe' (of the fairy mound). The sídhe were the supernatural people of ancient Irish belief.