eldritch
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of eldritch
First recorded in 1500–10; earlier elrich, elphrish; of disputed origin: probably elf + Middle English riche “realm, kingdom”
Explanation
Eldritch things are spooky and weird — they make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. If you're reading a horror or fantasy story, you may see the word eldritch, which means uncanny, unearthly, and weird in a supernatural way. Anything a witch does is eldritch. Goblins and elves are eldritch creatures. A story full of ghosts and strange monsters is full of eldritch elements. You won't find much that's eldritch in a story about lawyers or doctors. Those kinds of stories are more realistic.
Vocabulary lists containing eldritch
The Grim Reader: Wicked Words of Grave Importance for Halloween
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Uncanny, Creepy, or Downright Scary: Words For Halloween
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Wayne State Word Warriors Words to Rescue, 2014-2015 Edition
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But first and foremost, Bad Omens are gifted musicians, and whatever eldritch magic Sebastian wields onstage will always be bolstered by a serious band contorting metal, dark pop and electronic music.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
He was also a talented artist who loved painting with his kids, and a voracious reader fond of the speculative science fiction of Philip K. Dick and the eldritch tales of H. P. Lovecraft.
From Science Magazine • May 15, 2024
The eldritch, alien movements of octopus arms have captivated people for generations.
From Salon • Dec. 1, 2023
“Walk the village’s corrupted streets, brave a sinking cargo ship, and descend deeper and deeper beneath the waves to face unspeakable eldritch evil,” its website invites.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023
The unofficial and true story involved a Bog Monster following him and Sheed home after they uncovered an eldritch patch of swamp deep in the Gnarled Forest.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
