goblin

[ gob-lin ]

See synonyms for goblin on Thesaurus.com

noun

a grotesque sprite or elf that is mischievous or malicious toward people.

Origin of goblin

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gobelin, from Middle French, from Middle High German kobold “goblin”; see kobold

synonym study For goblin

Goblin, gnome, gremlin refer to supernatural beings thought to be malevolent to people. Goblins are demons of any size, usually in human or animal form, that are supposed to assail, afflict, and even torture human beings: “Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, …” (Shakespeare, Hamlet I, iv ). Gnomes are small beings, like ugly little old men, who live in the earth, guarding mines, treasures, etc. They are mysteriously malevolent and terrify human beings by causing dreadful mishaps to occur. Gremlins are thought to disrupt machinery and are active in modern folklore.

Words Nearby goblin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use goblin in a sentence

The Green goblin and Spider-Man fought shortly before they were both set to attend the same Thanksgiving dinner.
Breaking Down All the Cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home | Eliana Dockterman | December 17, 2021 | Time
Imaginary numbers might seem like unicorns and goblins — interesting but irrelevant to reality.
Quantum physics requires imaginary numbers to explain reality | Emily Conover | December 15, 2021 | Science News
That seems like a tough challenge for a movie we know is already stuffed with bad guys like Doctor Octopus, Electro and the Green goblin.
Is Venom in Spider-Man: No Way Home? The Venom 2 End-Credits Scene Offers a Hint | Eliana Dockterman | October 1, 2021 | Time
I prayed it was not a band of cutthroat goblins seeking to plunder our hard-earned treasures.
I Went Camping as My Dungeons & Dragons Character | smurguia | July 15, 2021 | Outside Online
Another mentioned that he perceived finger tapping while he was “fighting against goblins” in the dream, and being surprised that he could do math in battle.
Scientists Communicated With People While They Were Lucid Dreaming | Shelly Fan | February 22, 2021 | Singularity Hub

So what most Spider-Man fans are dying to know is what The Green goblin looks like, and how they arrived at that look.
Dane DeHaan’s Green Goblin Is the Best Thing About ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ | Kevin Fallon | May 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In the film, we watch as Gollum gets in a tussle with his next meal, an unsuspecting goblin.
‘The Hobbit’: 19 Changes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Novel to Peter Jackson’s Movie | Anna Klassen | December 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He was the strangest-looking creature Davy had ever seen, not even excepting the goblin.
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
The goblin stared about him in a dazed manner for a moment, and then said, "Sindbad the Sailor's house."
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
As it came near, it proved to be the clock, with a sail hoisted, and the goblin sitting complacently in the stern.
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
The goblin looked back despairingly, and Davy just caught the words, "I don't know how to turn around!"
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl
"I'm quite aware that my appearance is not prepossessing," said the Hole-keeper, with a scornful look at the goblin.
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. Carryl

British Dictionary definitions for goblin

goblin

/ (ˈɡɒblɪn) /

noun

(in folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature, regarded as malevolent towards human beings

Origin of goblin

C14: from Old French, from Middle High German kobolt; compare cobalt

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

Browse