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goblin mode

American

[gob-lin mohd] / ˈgɒb lɪn ˌmoʊd /

noun

Slang.

a way of behaving that intentionally disregards social expectations in favor of following one's own impulsive and self-indulgent desires.

It's been a stressful week at work and I'm just going goblin mode this weekend.

Etymology

Origin of goblin mode

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is the fourth consecutive year that the public have played a part in picking Oxford's word of the year, after an inaugural public vote in 2022 saw "goblin mode" prevail.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

A lot of writers I know were in their goblin mode.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2023

It was also the first year the Oxford adult word of the year - goblin mode - was voted on by the public.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2023

The words of 2022 were "goblin mode," in the United Kingdom, and "gaslight," in the United States.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2022

For the first time this year’s winning phrase was chosen by public vote, from among three finalists selected by Oxford Languages lexicographers: goblin mode, metaverse and the hashtag IStandWith.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023