an apparition or specter.

an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a dream image, mirage, or optical illusion.

a person or thing of merely illusory power, status, efficacy, etc.

the phantom of fear.

an illustration, part of which is given a transparent effect so as to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view, as the inner workings of a mechanical device.

of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a phantom; illusory

a phantom sea serpent.

Electricity . noting or pertaining to a phantom circuit.

named, included, or recorded but nonexistent; fictitious

Payroll checks were made out and cashed for phantom employees.

noun

reality

noun

apparition , chimera , daydream , delusion , dream , eidolon , figment , hallucination , haunt , ignis fatuus , illusion , mirage , nightmare , phantasm , revenant , shade , shadow , specter , spirit , spook , vision , wraith , bogey , bogeyman , bogle , phantasma , visitant , ghost , idol , spectre