gremlin

American  

[grem-lin] / ˈgrɛm lɪn /

noun

1. a mischievous invisible being, said by airplane pilots in World War II to cause engine trouble and mechanical difficulties.

2. any cause of trouble, difficulties, etc., especially in a mechanical, electrical, computer, or other system.

   A loose wire was the gremlin that blew out the lights.

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gremlin British  

/ ˈɡrɛmlɪn /

noun

1. an imaginary imp jokingly said to be responsible for malfunctions in machinery

2. any mischievous troublemaker

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Related Words

See goblin.

Etymology

Origin of gremlin

First recorded in 1925–30; of obscure origin; in its earliest attested use, an RAF term for a low-ranking officer or enlisted man assigned the most onerous duties; later development perhaps affected by phonetic resemblance to goblin

Example Sentences

Let's hope there will be no gremlins in Washington once the draw ceremony kicks off.

From BBC

I turned into a little party gremlin sheltering in place, you know?

From Los Angeles Times

I scoop it up with Breton crackers, usually while standing at the fridge like a little gremlin.

From Salon

Now I have my VTuber model and can be a little gremlin in my pajamas and no one has to know because Monarch is always perfect.”

From Los Angeles Times

As mechanized as a race — or a movie — can feel, success or failure hinge on the human element, the hero battling the gremlins in the machine.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• goblin