Phrase guide

ignis fatuus

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈɪɡnɪs ˈfætjuːəs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A will o' the wisp.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: arts, folklore, history, human-sciences, literature, media, publishing, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A delusion, a false hope.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

an illusion that misleads

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: will-o'-the-wisp

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: illusion, fantasy, phantasy, fancy

4

noun

Meaning 4

a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: friar's lantern, jack-o'-lantern, will-o'-the-wisp

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: light, visible light, visible radiation

History

Etymology

From New Latin ignis fatuus (literally “foolish fire”).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Georgian: ტყუილი იმედი (ṭq̇uili imedi) — false hope
  • Georgian: ილუზორული იმედი (iluzoruli imedi) — false hope
  • Italian: fuoco fatuo — false hope
  • Portuguese: fogo-fátuo — false hope
  • Russian: призрачная наде́жда (prizračnaja nadéžda) — false hope
  • Spanish: fuego fatuo — false hope