What does Goblin mean?

Definitions for Goblin
ˈgɒb lɪngob·lin

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Goblin.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. goblin, hob, hobgoblinnoun

    (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings

Wiktionary

  1. goblinnoun

    A mythical, humanoid creature, often found in contemporary fantasy.

  2. goblinnoun

    A nature spirit in Heathenry.

  3. Etymology: From gobelin (compare Normand goubelin, Walloon gobelin), possible blend of Old Low Franconian *kobeholdo 'goblin' (compare Dutch kabouter, German Kobold) and Late Latin cobalus 'mountain sprite', from Greek kobalos 'rogue, knave; goblin'.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Goblinnoun

    Etymology: French; gobelina, which Edmund Spenser has once retained, writing it in three syllables. This word some derive from the Gibellines, a faction in Italy; so that elfe and goblin is Guelph and Gibelline, because the children of either party were terrified by their nurses with the name of the other: but it appears that elfe is Welsh, and much older than those factions. Eilff Uylhon are phantoms of the night, and the Germans likewise have long had spirits among them named Goboldi, from which gobelin might be derived.

    Angels and ministers of grace defend us!
    Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn’d,
    Bring with thee airs from heav’n, or blasts from hell? William Shakespeare.

    To whom the goblin, full of wrath, reply’d,
    Art thou that traytor angel? John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. ii.

    Always, whilst he is young, be sure to preserve his tender mind from all impressions and notions of spirits and goblins, or any fearful apprehensions in the dark. John Locke.

    His son was Elsinel, who overcame
    The wicked gobbelines in bloody field;
    But Elfant was of most renowned fame,
    Who of all crystal did Panthea build. Fairy Queen, b. ii.

    Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joints
    With dry convulsions; shorten up their sinews
    With aged cramps. William Shakespeare, Tempest.

    Mean time the village rouzes up the fire,
    While well attested, and as well believ’d,
    Heard solemn goes the goblin story round. James Thomson, Winter.

Wikipedia

  1. Goblin

    A goblin is a small, grotesque, monstrous creature that appears in the folklore of multiple European cultures. First attested in stories from the Middle Ages, they are ascribed conflicting abilities, temperaments, and appearances depending on the story and country of origin, ranging from mischievous household spirits to malicious, bestial thieves. They often have magical abilities similar to a fairy or demon, such as the ability to shapeshift.Similar creatures include brownies, dwarves, duendes, gnomes, imps, leprechauns, and kobolds, but it is also commonly used as a blanket term for all small, fay creatures. The term is sometimes expanded to include goblin-like creatures of other cultures, such as the pukwudgie, dokkaebi or ifrit.

ChatGPT

  1. goblin

    A goblin is a mythical, often mischievous creature featured in the folklore of multiple cultures. These creatures are typically depicted as small, grotesque, humanoid monsters that are generally harmful or tricky towards humans. Their abilities and characteristics can vary widely depending on the culture and folklore in which they appear. They may live underground, in caves, or in forests, and are often associated with various magical abilities.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Goblinnoun

    an evil or mischievous spirit; a playful or malicious elf; a frightful phantom; a gnome

  2. Etymology: [OE. gobelin, F. gobelin, LL. gobelinus, fr. Gr. knave, a mischievous goblin; or cf. G. kobold, E. kobold, cobalt, Armor. gobilin an ignis fatuus, goblin.]

Wikidata

  1. Goblin

    A goblin is a legendary evil or mischievous creature; a grotesquely evil or evil-like phantom. They are attributed with various abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little creatures somewhat related to the brownie and gnome. They are usually depicted as small, sometimes only a few inches tall, sometimes the size of a dwarf. They also often are said to possess various magical abilities. They are also very greedy and love money.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Goblin

    gob′lin, n. a frightful phantom: a fairy: a mischievous sprite. [O. Fr. gobelin—Low L. gobelinus—Gr. kobalos, a mischievous spirit.]

Suggested Resources

  1. goblin

    Quotes by goblin -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by goblin on the Quotes.net website.

  2. goblin

    Song lyrics by goblin -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by goblin on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

Anagrams for Goblin »

  1. Boglin

  2. Boglin

  3. globin

  4. globin

  5. lobing

How to pronounce Goblin?

How to say Goblin in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Goblin in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Goblin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of Goblin in a Sentence

  1. Spider-Man:

    J. Jonah Jameson Hoffman, run down to the patent office and market the name Green Goblin. I want a quarter every time someone says it.

  2. Ted Cruz:

    I did think it was fitting the debate occurred the week of Halloween because the moderators were doing everything they could to ask every candidate 'Are you more of ghoul or a goblin?'.

  3. Spider-Man:

    Green Goblin We are who we choose to be... now, CHOOSE.

  4. William Shakespeare:

    Angels and ministers of grace defend us.Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damned,Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from hell,Be thy intents wicked, or charitable,Thou com'st in such a questionable shape,That I will speak to thee.

  5. Spider-Man:

    Green Goblin The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the Goblin and took the spider out.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Goblin#10000#25578#100000

Translations for Goblin

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for Goblin »

Translation

Find a translation for the Goblin definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Goblin." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Goblin>.

Discuss these Goblin definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for Goblin? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    Goblin

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    add details, as to an account or idea
    A elaborate
    B abduct
    C render
    D famish

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for Goblin: