goblin

American  

[gob-lin] / ˈgɒb lɪn /

noun

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

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goblin British  

/ ˈɡɒblɪn /

noun

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

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Related Words

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.

Etymology

Origin of goblin

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

Example Sentences

The movie opens with her reciting lines from a story that casts her as a brave royal determined to reclaim a baby from a goblin king.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

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

Previous Oxford words of the year have included selfie, goblin mode and rizz.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

The peril for America’s children is not bare goblin buttocks, nor is it goblins being clothed.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

As Werfel combed the carpets to make sure the fringes all lay flat, he dreamed of the histories that could be written with the union of elfin and goblin knowledge.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Related Words

• gnome
• gremlin