goblin

American  

[gob-lin] / ˈgɒb lɪn /

noun

1. a grotesque sprite or elf that is mischievous or malicious toward people.

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goblin British  

/ ˈɡɒblɪn /

noun

1. (in folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature, regarded as malevolent towards human beings

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Related Words

Goblin, gnome, gremlin refer to supernatural beings thought to be malevolent to people. Goblins are demons of any size, usually in human or animal form, that are supposed to assail, afflict, and even torture human beings: “Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, …” (Shakespeare, Hamlet I, iv ). Gnomes are small beings, like ugly little old men, who live in the earth, guarding mines, treasures, etc. They are mysteriously malevolent and terrify human beings by causing dreadful mishaps to occur. Gremlins are thought to disrupt machinery and are active in modern folklore.

Etymology

Origin of goblin

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gobelin, from Middle French, from Middle High German kobold “goblin”; kobold

Example Sentences

The movie opens with her reciting lines from a story that casts her as a brave royal determined to reclaim a baby from a goblin king.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

It is the fourth consecutive year that the public have played a part in picking Oxford's word of the year, after an inaugural public vote in 2022 saw "goblin mode" prevail.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

“That’s all great, but now you can smell like a dirty pond goblin if you want. And that’s cool.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2025

“He was this stoic guy and then he started playing D&D and was like —” Curry broke into a wheezy, garbled voice, “—’I’m a goblin!’

From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2024

They were sent into the goblin city of Tenebrion to try to map it out.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Related Words

• gnome
• gremlin