Hobgoblin
noun
A type of small, wicked creature that appears in stories and old folk tales.
In the dark forest, they were confronted by a hobgoblin, snarling and bearing sharp teeth.
Often appears as...
- meet a hobgoblin
- fear the hobgoblin
Usage tips
Literary
noun
Something that causes a lot of fear or worry but is actually not very serious or important.
His fear of being alone at home was a hobgoblin that haunted him in his childhood.
Often appears as...
- haunted by a hobgoblin
- fear a hobgoblin
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A type of small, wicked creature that appears in stories and old folk tales.
In the dark forest, they were confronted by a hobgoblin, snarling and bearing sharp teeth.
Often appears as...
- meet a hobgoblin
- fear the hobgoblin
Usage tips
Literary
noun
Something that causes a lot of fear or worry but is actually not very serious or important.
His fear of being alone at home was a hobgoblin that haunted him in his childhood.
Often appears as...
- haunted by a hobgoblin
- fear a hobgoblin
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Storybook Evil
Used to describe a mythical creature that's menacing in fairy tales and fantasy settings.
A hobgoblin is often a villain in children's fairy tales.
Pro Tip 2/3Misunderstood Monster
Sometimes depicts a misunderstood being, not purely evil, in modern stories.
The hobgoblin turned out to be a guardian of the forest.
Pro Tip 3/3Halloween Associate
In Western cultures, often associated with Halloween and spooky themes.
She dressed up as a hobgoblin for the Halloween party.
Compare with
creaturedemongoblinimpmonsterphantompucksprite
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Quote examples
Philip Johnson
American Architect
The first complete sentence out of my mouth was probably that line about consistency being the hobgoblin of small minds.
Quote examples
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American Philosopher
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
Quote examples
Philip Johnson
American Architect
The first complete sentence out of my mouth was probably that line about consistency being the hobgoblin of small minds.
Quote examples
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American Philosopher
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
Example 1 of 2
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