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Definition of banshee

banshee

/ˈbæn.ʃiː/
ban · shee
Plural:banshees
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banshee Lexical Profile

banshee Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

In Irish folklore, a female spirit whose mournful wailing, shrieking, or keening warns a family of the imminent death of one of its members.

Example

"According to local legend, the eerie cry of a banshee could be heard across the moors the night before the old lord passed away."

2

A person, animal, or machine that makes a loud, piercing, or wild shrieking sound (chiefly used in similes).

Example

"The wind howled like a banshee through the narrow mountain pass during the winter storm."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for banshee

• Nearby Words

banoffee
banquet
banquette
banshee
bantam
bantamweight
banter

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 17th century from Irish bean sídhe, literally meaning 'woman of the fairy mound,' from Old Irish ben ('woman') and síd ('fairy mound' or 'otherworld').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Banshee. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/banshee
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