goblin

/ˈɡɒblɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡɑːblɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgä-blən/ (ame, mw)

goblin — noun

  • goblinsingular
  • goblinsplural

1. a small, ugly imaginary creature in folk tales and fantasy stories that enjoys p

1.名詞B2
釋義

a small, ugly imaginary creature in folk tales and fantasy stories that enjoys playing nasty tricks on people or causing problems for them.

例句

In the Welsh tale, a green goblin stole the bread from the baker's shop.

narrative subject in past tense storytelling

Tamar painted a goblin with pointed ears and yellow eyes for the school art show.

同義詞
  • imp

    smaller and more playful; less harmful than a goblin

  • hobgoblin

    near-synonym; sometimes friendlier in older English folklore

  • gremlin

    modern coinage; usually breaks machines rather than tricking people

用法筆記

Almost always appears in fictional or fantasy contexts; never used to describe a real person except as a strong insult about appearance or behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌My neighbour is a goblin.' (literal)
✅My neighbour acts like a goblin in old stories
💡always playing mean tricks.' — only use literally inside fiction; comparing a real person needs the simile frame.