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Definition of goblin

goblin

/ˈɡɑːb.lɪn/
gob · lin
Plural:goblins
•
Adjective:goblinesque
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goblin Lexical Profile

goblin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, grotesque, and mischievous or malicious creature of European folklore and fantasy fiction, typically depicted as dwelling in caves or underground.

Example

"In the classic fairy tale, a clever goblin tricks the travelers into losing their way in the dark forest."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for goblin

• Nearby Words

gobbler
gobi
goblet
goblin
goblin shark
gobo
gobs

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'gobelin', likely derived from Medieval Latin 'gobelinus' or Middle High German 'kobolt' (a household sprite), or ultimately from Ancient Greek 'kobalos' meaning 'rogue' or 'knave'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Goblin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/goblin
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