kobold

[ koh-bold, -bohld ]

noun

1. a spirit or goblin, often mischievous, that haunts houses.
2. a spirit that haunts mines or other underground places.

kobold

/ ˈkɒbəʊld /

noun

1. a mischievous household sprite
2. a spirit that haunts subterranean places, such as mines

Word History and Origins

Origin of kobold¹

Borrowed into English from German in 1625–35

Word History and Origins

Origin of kobold¹

C19: from German; see cobalt

Example Sentences

“He's a kobold...you know, invisible. Gets very upset when people assume he's not there. So, you can't.”

From Literature

In a typical game, online or off, the game master will present the players with a situation — an encounter with a kobold, say.

From New York Times

“This chump is so broke that he has to bum rides to Greyhawk, just so he can kill kobolds for copper pieces! And he’s calling me a poseur!”

From Literature

I’d spent the next few hours slaying a small band of kobolds, waiting for them to respawn, and then slaying them again, over and over.

From Literature

Related Words

• gnome
• gremlin