ghoul

[ gool ]
/ gul /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR ghoul ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an evil demon, originally of Muslim legend, supposed to feed on human beings, and especially to rob graves, prey on corpses, etc.
a grave robber.
a person who revels in what is revolting.

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!
Question 1 of 7
salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ghoul

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

Words nearby ghoul

ghostfish, ghosting, ghostly, ghosts, ghostwrite, ghoul, ghoulish, ghq, ghrelin, ghrf, ghyll
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Content related to ghoul

What’s The Difference Between Ghouls, Goblins, And Ghosts?Come Halloween, miniature ghosts, ghouls, and goblins ring your doorbell. But what exactly are each of these freaky frights, and where do they come from?
READ MORE

Words related to ghoul

devil, monster, bogeyman, fiend

Example sentences from the Web for ghoul

British Dictionary definitions for ghoul

ghoul
/ (ɡuːl) /

noun

a malevolent spirit or ghost
a person interested in morbid or disgusting things
a person who robs graves
(in Muslim legend) an evil demon thought to eat human bodies, either stolen corpses or children

Word Origin for ghoul

C18: from Arabic ghūl, from ghāla he seized
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012