ghoul

American  

[gool] / gul /

noun

1. an evil demon, originally of Muslim legend, supposed to feed on human beings, and especially to rob graves, prey on corpses, etc.

2. a grave robber.

3. a person who revels in what is revolting.

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ghoul British  

/ ɡuːl /

noun

1. a malevolent spirit or ghost

2. a person interested in morbid or disgusting things

3. a person who robs graves

4. (in Muslim legend) an evil demon thought to eat human bodies, either stolen corpses or children

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Etymology

Origin of ghoul

First recorded in 1780–90, ghoul is from the Arabic word ghūl

Example Sentences

Paula Dewar and her family have, for years, covered their home and outside street with hordes of ghouls, ghosts and goblins.

From BBC

The galloping ghouls in their low-budget 2002 thriller “28 Days Later” reinvigorated the genre.

From Los Angeles Times

The surface is now home to scavengers, soldiers, mutants, and ghouls, all doing their best to survive on spoiled food, brackish water, and whatever’s left in long-abandoned vending machines.

From Salon

Moving into senior positions at major studios in film, television and video games, these ghouls seek only to maximize profit.

From Salon

These ghouls straddle the line between romance and predation, and Eggers’ Orlok is no different.

From Salon