goblin

noun

gob·​lin ˈgä-blən How to pronounce goblin (audio)
Synonyms of goblinnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This one just happens to involve wizards, goblins, and one savage, half-blind dragon. Séamas O'Reilly, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026 Meet the goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni), a predator so rare that fewer than 250 individuals have ever been recorded worldwide. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 The plot follows a young girl who ends up wishing away her baby brother into the goblin labyrinth. Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026 Henson was cast as Hoggle, one of the film’s most prominent goblins and Sarah’s reluctant ally, while also managing puppeteering responsibilities behind the scenes. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goblin

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goblin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goblin. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

goblin

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

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