If you are aghast, you might look like you've just seen a ghost, or something similarly shocking. Aghast traces back to a Middle English verb, gasten, meaning "to frighten."

AGHAST definition: struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror. See examples of aghast used in a sentence.

AGHAST definition: 1. suddenly filled with strong feelings of shock and worry: 2. suddenly filled with strong…. Learn more.

Definition of aghast adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective aghast, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Define aghast. aghast synonyms, aghast pronunciation, aghast translation, English dictionary definition of aghast. adj. Struck by shock, terror, or amazement. American Heritage® …

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 a•ghast (ə gast′, ə gäst′), adj. struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or …

If you've seen a look of absolute shock or terror on someone's face — like when your mom (or dad) sees a mouse — you can describe the look with the adjective aghast.

Dec 31, 2025 · aghast (comparative more aghast, superlative most aghast) Terrified; struck with amazement; showing signs of terror or horror. quotations I was aghast when the incident …

aghast in American English (əˈɡæst, əˈɡɑːst) adjective struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror