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

Etymology

Origin of ghoul

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

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

Suturing Mary Shelley’s novel to his own 21st century anti-technocrat ferocity, Guillermo del Toro cranked up his ambitions in every element from costumes to cinematography and thrillingly brought his favorite ghoul to life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

Beetlejuice's sequel sees Keaton reprise his role as the titular chaos-causing ghoul.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2024

"Anyone that's spent any time in Hollywood can become a ghoul."

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2024

Whatever the mind conjures up, custom-made for unique neuroses and fears, may well be scarier than any tangible monster or ghoul.

From New York Times ● Oct. 3, 2023

The ghoul made his way to the central fountain.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

However, as the season goes on, "even Rue can't quite make you care about this sorry group of amoral ghouls, who seem to loathe themselves as much as each other", Halls concluded.

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026

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

Moving into senior positions at major studios in film, television and video games, these ghouls seek only to maximize profit.

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2024

There was a noise then, from the desert, from far away, a distant howl, and the ghouls gibbered and they huddled closer to the flames.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman