ghoul

American  

[gool] / gul /

noun

• ghouls
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ghouls
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of ghoul

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

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Explanation

A ghoul is an evil demon, ghost, or fiend. On Halloween, the kids dressed as fairies and pumpkins look cute. The kids dressed as ghouls, with fake blood dripping down their faces and hair matted in knots? Not so cute. The word ghoul originates in the Arabic word “ghul,” which refers to an evil spirit that digs up graves and eats the dead. Some confuse ghoul with the word “gremlin,” but the two are not interchangeable. A gremlin does not gorge on the flesh of the dead; it is more a mischievous imp and troublemaker, famous for causing mechanical difficulties in World War II aircraft.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ghoul ghouls

Every moment, whether dominated by a “Halloween”-inspired ghoul or the grammar-correcting banter of mutually exasperated colleagues, is played straight and for all their initial nods to trope, every character is uniquely and thoroughly human.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Michael Keaton has reprised his role as the titular chaos-causing ghoul in the sequel.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2024

Taking a pause to gather herself from his blunt answer, the comedian tried again to one-up the mendacious ghoul.

From Salon ● Jan. 2, 2024

Ever since the ghoul of high inflation was broken in the 1980s, the Federal Reserve has been quick to aid the economy and financial markets during times of trouble.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2023

What Harry found most unusual about life at Ron’s, however, wasn’t the talking mirror or the clanking ghoul: It was the fact that everybody there seemed to like him.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Others were more sympathetic but still unsettled by what he was doing not only to himself but also to his teenage children, who will have to deal with the ugly reactions of social-media ghouls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

May none of the ghouls from that disgraceful company get to enjoy so much as a single nice breeze on the new airport’s two acres of outdoor terraces.

From Slate ● Nov. 24, 2025

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

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025

Around the courtyard, ghosts and ghouls rose to their feet and drew weapons.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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