Goblin
noun
A small, ugly, and often evil creature in folklore and fantasy stories.
In the dark forest, the children encountered a goblin.
Often appears as...
- goblin king
- goblin market
Usage tips
Literary
noun
Someone who is very greedy or unpleasant.
Don't be such a goblin, share some of your chocolate with your sister.
Often appears as...
- goblin-like behavior
- acting like a goblin
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A small, ugly, and often evil creature in folklore and fantasy stories.
In the dark forest, the children encountered a goblin.
Often appears as...
- goblin king
- goblin market
Usage tips
Literary
noun
Someone who is very greedy or unpleasant.
Don't be such a goblin, share some of your chocolate with your sister.
Often appears as...
- goblin-like behavior
- acting like a goblin
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Mythical Origins
Understand goblins come from myths; they're classic fantasy creatures like in 'The Hobbit'.
The goblin sneered at the weary adventurers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ugly Connotations
Goblins are described as ugly to express they're not only evil, but also visually unappealing.
The goblin's face was twisted and vile.
Pro Tip 3/3Mischievous Nature
Goblins can be tricky or mischievous, causing problems out of spite or for fun.
A goblin wreaked havoc in the village last night.
Pro Tip 1/3Mythical Origins
Understand goblins come from myths; they're classic fantasy creatures like in 'The Hobbit'.
The goblin sneered at the weary adventurers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ugly Connotations
Goblins are described as ugly to express they're not only evil, but also visually unappealing.
The goblin's face was twisted and vile.
Pro Tip 3/3Mischievous Nature
Goblins can be tricky or mischievous, causing problems out of spite or for fun.
A goblin wreaked havoc in the village last night.
Pro Tip 1/3Mythical Origins
Understand goblins come from myths; they're classic fantasy creatures like in 'The Hobbit'.
The goblin sneered at the weary adventurers.
Pro Tip 2/3Ugly Connotations
Goblins are described as ugly to express they're not only evil, but also visually unappealing.
The goblin's face was twisted and vile.
Pro Tip 3/3Mischievous Nature
Goblins can be tricky or mischievous, causing problems out of spite or for fun.
A goblin wreaked havoc in the village last night.
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Video examples
The otherworldly...
harboring a huge diversity of life, from giant squids and goblin sharks to minuscule animals smaller than a millimeter. How do so many species thrive in this underwater world? Over the decades, intrepid scientists have ventured there to find out. Traveling down through the water column,
Video examples
The Goblin Shark PIPE What...
Only the goblin has a jaw that whips forward like a slingshot, an ancient weapon that works even today.
Video examples
The otherworldly...
harboring a huge diversity of life, from giant squids and goblin sharks to minuscule animals smaller than a millimeter. How do so many species thrive in this underwater world? Over the decades, intrepid scientists have ventured there to find out. Traveling down through the water column,
Video examples
The Goblin Shark PIPE What...
Only the goblin has a jaw that whips forward like a slingshot, an ancient weapon that works even today.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jonathan Stroud
American Author
As a child I was really into fantasy books with elves and goblins and swords, and I went through a phase for a few years when I was reading endless series. But in the end I became totally fed-up with all these sub-Tolkien rip-offs because they all end up doing the same old things and there's no rigour to it.
Quote examples
Karen Joy Fowler
American Author
I learned how to comport myself among trolls, elves, hobbits or goblins. I learned that a friend can be lost to greed and avarice. I learned that solving riddles may be as important a survival skill as bowmanship. I know how to talk to a dragon, and that it's best not to.
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
Don't get me wrong, magic is cool. But a nervous mother singing to her child at night while something moves quietly through the dark outside her house? That's a story. Handled properly, it's more dramatic than any apocalypse or goblin army could ever be.
Quote examples
Evan Peters
American Actor
As a kid, I was more scared of the supernatural stuff and ghosts and goblins and the Crypt Keeper from 'Tales from the Crypt.' I was always scared he would chase me up the stairs, as a kid.
Quote examples
Ted Naifeh
American Writer
Us comics guys tend to get really good at the things we draw a lot. I'm good at creepy old forests, Victorian houses, underground goblin cities, and beautiful but creepy fairies.
Quote examples
Robin Hobb
American Writer
Dragons, to my way of thinking, are just another 'race' of sapient characters. We see lots of elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, giants and, of course, dragons.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
I definitely do not like Halloween. I don't like masks, creepy clowns, dark things, goblins or witches. They're not just my thing.
Quote examples
Kristian Nairn
Irish Actor
I could never see myself playing a goblin or gnome, without some serious CGI at least!
Quote examples
Lope de Vega
Spanish Playwright
Profits on the exchange are the treasures of goblins.
Quote examples
Jonathan Stroud
American Author
As a child I was really into fantasy books with elves and goblins and swords, and I went through a phase for a few years when I was reading endless series. But in the end I became totally fed-up with all these sub-Tolkien rip-offs because they all end up doing the same old things and there's no rigour to it.
Quote examples
Karen Joy Fowler
American Author
I learned how to comport myself among trolls, elves, hobbits or goblins. I learned that a friend can be lost to greed and avarice. I learned that solving riddles may be as important a survival skill as bowmanship. I know how to talk to a dragon, and that it's best not to.
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
Don't get me wrong, magic is cool. But a nervous mother singing to her child at night while something moves quietly through the dark outside her house? That's a story. Handled properly, it's more dramatic than any apocalypse or goblin army could ever be.
Quote examples
Evan Peters
American Actor
As a kid, I was more scared of the supernatural stuff and ghosts and goblins and the Crypt Keeper from 'Tales from the Crypt.' I was always scared he would chase me up the stairs, as a kid.
Quote examples
Ted Naifeh
American Writer
Us comics guys tend to get really good at the things we draw a lot. I'm good at creepy old forests, Victorian houses, underground goblin cities, and beautiful but creepy fairies.
Quote examples
Robin Hobb
American Writer
Dragons, to my way of thinking, are just another 'race' of sapient characters. We see lots of elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, giants and, of course, dragons.
Quote examples
Tyler Perry
American Actor
I definitely do not like Halloween. I don't like masks, creepy clowns, dark things, goblins or witches. They're not just my thing.
Quote examples
Kristian Nairn
Irish Actor
I could never see myself playing a goblin or gnome, without some serious CGI at least!
Quote examples
Lope de Vega
Spanish Playwright
Profits on the exchange are the treasures of goblins.
Example 1 of 9
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