hobgoblin

see definition of hobgoblin

nounmischievous goblin

Synonyms for hobgoblin

noun mischievous goblin

bogeyman

noun. ghost

bogle

noun. ghost

bugaboo

noun. fear

bugbear

noun. ghost

incubus

noun. evil spirit

Word Origin & History

1520s, from hob "elf," from Hobbe, a variant of Rob (cf. Hick for Richard, Hodge for Rodger, etc.), short for Robin Goodfellow, elf character in German folklore, + goblin.

Example Sentences for hobgoblin

I hardly know what sort of creature or hobgoblin to call them.

Why, Clifton, you imagine that he's a hobgoblin—a sort of wild child of the Highlands.

The colonel eyed the wreck of the hobgoblin with satisfaction.

I am not a hobgoblin, though I may pose as one now and then.

It was really a fish; but it was also a hobgoblin, nightmare, and ooze-croaker!

It suggests a theatrical “property,” not the hobgoblin of old belief.

The hobgoblin is one of the widest-spread forms of fairy belief.

Why, were he demon or hobgoblin, he could not stand alone against many.

The second hobgoblin will be there, a mighty Ghost of valor.

May we not have the precise height of this hobgoblin, in inches and fractions?

hobgoblin

Synonyms for hobgoblin

More words related to hobgoblin

bogey

bogeyman

bogle

bugaboo

bugbear

incubus