gargoyle

American  

[gahr-goil] / ˈgɑr gɔɪl /

noun

1. a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.

2. a spout, terminating in a grotesque representation of a human or animal figure with open mouth, projecting from the gutter of a building for throwing rainwater clear of a building.

---

gargoyle British  

/ ˈɡɑːɡɔɪl /

noun

1. a waterspout carved in the form of a grotesque face or creature and projecting from a roof gutter, esp of a Gothic church

2. any grotesque ornament or projection, esp on a building

3. a person with a grotesque appearance

---

gargoyle Cultural  

1. A sculpture depicting grotesque human shapes or evil spirits used in many buildings of the Middle Ages, most notably on Gothic cathedrals (see also cathedral). Some gargoyles drained rainwater, sending it clear of the walls of the building.

---

Other Word Forms

• gargoyled adjective

Etymology

Origin of gargoyle

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English gargoile, from Old French gargouille, gargoule literally, “throat”; gargle

Compare meaning

How does gargoyle compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gargoyle vs. grotesque

Example Sentences

A host of celebrity judges have to decide whether they’re seeing an elaborate cake or Halloween decor like a jack-o-lantern, a black cat and a gargoyle.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025

Mr Palmen, 61, said: "I find the gargoyle very amusing, I'm using it as my Facebook profile picture."

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2023

Kimbrough also lent his voice to a gargoyle named Victor in Disney’s animated film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2023

The bass John Relyea, a Met regular, dug into the role of the assassin Sparafucile with his gargoyle of a voice — a dark, threatening gnarl of sound.

From New York Times • Nov. 11, 2022

Harry had walked right past the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore’s office without noticing.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling