goblin

noun

gob·​lin ˈgä-blən How to pronounce goblin (audio)
: an ugly or grotesque sprite that is usually mischievous and sometimes evil and malicious

Examples of goblin in a Sentence

dressed up the toddlers like goblins for Halloween
Recent Examples on the Web And every year some 200 Renaissance fairs are held across dozens of US states and Canada, where participants come dressed as knights, jesters, damsels, pirates or even goblins, wizards, witches and fairies. Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 One of the tieflings is shot through with goblin arrows trying to open the gate. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 3 Aug. 2023 In the video, O’Brien takes the example of one early quest, where you’re meant to infiltrate a goblin camp and free a prisoner, and the absurd variety of ways the encounter can be taken on: As for me? Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Case in point: the program includes a duet integrating Thai mouth organ and Korean zither, a vocal/electronics piece inspired by the Syrian civil war and a world premiere exploring goblins from Korean folklore. Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023 As the pre-show played out, all eyes were on the gorgeous gowns, the dapper tuxes and that one puzzling green goblin, but even all the glamour couldn’t take away from the appearance of the step and repeat. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024 There’s a chill in the air, leaves litter the ground, and houses up and down on your street are decked out with ghouls, goblins and all manner of grim tidings. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2023 His movies have tackled other Great Men of History (Moses, Columbus), as well as aliens, androids, con men, gangsters, goblins, soldiers, serial killers, and the Gucci family. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023 Coyle writes in a section focused on goblin lore and the writer Terry Pratchett, who let goblins be messy and spiritual at once. Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goblin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gobelin, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gobelinus, ultimately from Greek kobalos rogue

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goblin was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near goblin

Cite this Entry

“Goblin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goblin. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

goblin

noun
gob·​lin ˈgäb-lən How to pronounce goblin (audio)
: an ugly, evil, or mischievous elf

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