DictionaryAI

will o' the wisp

noun
wil-uh-thuh-WISP/ˌwɪləðəˈwɪsp/

Pluralwill o' the wisps

3 meanings of will o' the wisp

Practice

  1. 1
    marsh lightnouncountable
    A pale, flickering light seen over wet, swampy ground in many places, explained differently by old stories and by science.

    We saw a will o' the wisp shining over the swamp just after dark.

    Scientists are still not sure what causes a will o' the wisp.

    Note
  2. 2
    impossible goalnounfigurativelycountable
    A goal that is not real or can never be reached, but that you feel you must keep chasing.

    For years he chased a will o' the wisp, sure that the next idea would make him rich.

    Many people say perfect happiness is a will o' the wisp.

    Similarchimera, mirage, illusion, fantasy

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 3
    nounBritish
    In old British stories, a light held by a magical creature over swamps at night to lead travelers to their death.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from the man's name Will plus "of the wisp." A wisp was a bundle of straw or hay used as a torch.