Goblin: meaning, definitions and examples

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goblin

 

[ หˆษกษ’blษชn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fantasy creature

A goblin is a small, grotesque creature in folklore and fantasy fiction. Typically portrayed as mischievous and greedy, goblins are often depicted as causing trouble or mischief for humans.

Synonyms

imp, pixie, sprite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goblin

This word is often used in fantasy contexts to describe small, mischievous, and often malevolent creatures. Goblins are commonly found in folklore, literature, and role-playing games.

  • The brave knight fought off a group of goblins to protect the village.
  • In the dark forest, the travelers heard the sinister laughter of goblins lurking in the shadows.
imp

This term is used to describe a smaller and less threatening creature compared to a goblin. Imps are usually depicted as mischievous and playful, but their actions can still be troublesome. They are common in fairy tales and folklore.

  • An imp stole the magician's wand and caused chaos in the village.
  • The imp played tricks on the children, hiding their toys and making them disappear.
pixie

This word is often used to depict a small, fairy-like creature known for its playful and sometimes tricky behavior. Pixies are typically considered to be more charming and less threatening than goblins or imps, often associated with magical forests.

  • The pixies danced in the moonlight, casting a gentle glow over the meadow.
  • She followed the mischievous pixie to a hidden glen filled with sparkling lights.
sprite

Sprites are typically small, magical beings associated with water or air elements. They are often depicted as gentle and benevolent creatures in fantasy stories and folklore. Sprites can be seen as more ethereal and delicate than the other terms listed.

  • The water sprite emerged from the brook, its presence calming the distressed travelers.
  • Sprites flitted through the air, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake.

Examples of usage

  • Watch out for the goblin lurking in the shadows.
  • The goblin stole all the gold from the treasure chest.
  • The villagers feared the goblin that haunted the old abandoned castle.
Context #2 | Noun

slang

In slang, a goblin can refer to a person who is considered unattractive or unpleasant in appearance.

Synonyms

monster, ugly person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
goblin

A goblin is a creature from mythology and folklore. Goblins are often described as mischievous and small, with an ugly appearance. This word is best used in the context of fantasy stories, games, or discussions related to folklore.

  • The goblin snuck through the forest, looking for treasure.
  • In the game, you have to defeat a group of goblins.
ugly person

This phrase is used to describe someone whose appearance is seen as unattractive. It is often considered rude and offensive, so it's best avoided in polite conversation. If you have to describe something vaguely similar, 'ugly person' could be used in a context where appearance plays a critical role, like fairy tales or when specifically discussing societal standards of beauty.

  • The wicked witch was often described as an ugly person.
  • It is unkind to call someone an ugly person.
monster

Monster is a general term for any large, scary, or terrifying creature. It can be used in various contexts, including horror stories, movies, or to describe someone or something that is unusually cruel or frightening. This word can also have a negative connotation when used to describe people.

  • The monster under the bed kept him awake all night.
  • She called him a monster for his cruel actions.

Examples of usage

  • Don't be mean, she's not a goblin, she's just shy.
  • He's such a goblin, always scowling at everyone.

Translations

Translations of the word "goblin" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น duende

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅ‹เคฌเฅเคฒเคฟเคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kobold

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ goblin

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะพะฑะปั–ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ goblin

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ดใƒ–ใƒชใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท gobelin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ duende

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท goblin

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋„๊นจ๋น„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนูุฑูŠุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ skล™รญtek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกkriatok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฆ–็ฒพ (yฤojฤซng)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกkrat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รพurs

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะณะพะฑะปะธะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ‘แƒšแƒ˜แƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ goblin

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ duende

Etymology

The word 'goblin' originated in the Middle English term 'gobelin,' which was derived from the Old French 'gobelin,' originally referring to a mischievous spirit. Over time, the concept of goblins evolved in folklore and fantasy literature to represent a variety of small, often malevolent creatures. The modern perception of goblins as small, grotesque beings is heavily influenced by fantasy fiction, particularly works such as 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien.

See also: goblins.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,532, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.