gargoyle

American  

[gahr-goil] / ˈgɑr gɔɪl /

noun

• gargoyles
  plural

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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• gargoyled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• gargoyles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gargoyle

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

Compare meaning

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

• gargoyle vs. grotesque

Explanation

Gargoyle is a fearsome word for a monster. Fortunately, it's not a real monster. It's a grotesque carved beast sticking out from the gutter of a building, especially in Gothic architecture. If you've ever seen a statue of an ugly beast coming out of the side of the building, you've seen a gargoyle. There aren't a lot of pretty, friendly looking gargoyles in the world; they usually look frightening, strange, and grotesque (which is kind of a mix of really ugly and kind of bizarre). Gargoyles have a couple purposes. For one thing, they're part of the drainage system that keeps the building from flooding. Secondly, they're so nasty-looking that they should scare off evil spirits who would do harm to the building or the people inside. Too much water and too much evil are both bad for a building.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gargoyle gargoyles

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

The relationship provides tension and mystery that the well-matched Kingsley and Sukowa complicate with gargoyle masks and shocks of vulnerability.

From New York Times ● Jun. 8, 2023

Earlier this week, several Santa hats appeared on statues and a gargoyle on St John's College in stunt later blamed on "rascal students".

From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2021

Another modern, and whimsical, touch is the so-called businessman or yuppie gargoyle, depicting a Gothic creature with sideburns and holding a briefcase.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2021

Out front squatted a waist-high gargoyle, so eroded by rain and salt that his features were all but obliterated.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

At the top of a design from the 1430s for the tower of the Imperial Cathedral in Frankfurt, drawn in a spirited freehand, is a group of unusually cheerful gargoyles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

But Besson adds his own bizarre flair, including an army of CGI gargoyles that do Dracul’s bidding.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

Two gargoyles still remain in the baggage claim area to protect luggage, including a more muted animatronic Greg; the original had “triggered” some people who viewed it as overtly satanic, Ms. Stegman said.

From New York Times ● Apr. 29, 2023

Water was discharged from the roof via gargoyles which were said to crouch in agony under the weight of their load.

From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2023

But when the gargoyles pulled themselves loose from the stone and padded down the side of the tower to where Bran clung, he knew he was not safe after all.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin