gremlin
6 synonyms for gremlin, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A mischievous imaginary creature blamed for mechanical faults or malfunctions, especially in machinery or aircraft.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gremlin
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a gremlin in the system
chase down a gremlin
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly a twist on "goblin," though the word only became widely known after Roald Dahl's 1943 story The Gremlins, about mischievous creatures sabotaging RAF planes.
Full origin of gremlin →Frequently asked questions
What does “gremlin” mean?
The word “gremlin” means a mischievous imaginary creature blamed for mechanical faults or malfunctions, especially in machinery or aircraft. In plain terms, an invisible troublemaker you blame when something breaks for no obvious reason — or, informally, an annoying person.
How do you pronounce “gremlin”?
“Gremlin” is pronounced GREHM-lihn (/ˈɡɹɛmlən/ in IPA).
How do you use “gremlin” in a sentence?
Here is “gremlin” used in a sentence: “Pilots joked that a gremlin must be loose in the engine.”
What part of speech is “gremlin”?
“Gremlin” is a noun.
Where does the word “gremlin” come from?
The word “gremlin” dates back to around 1943. Origin uncertain — possibly a twist on "goblin," though the word only became widely known after Roald Dahl's 1943 story The Gremlins, about mischievous creatures sabotaging RAF planes.
How many meanings does “gremlin” have?
“Gremlin” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mischievous imaginary creature blamed for mechanical faults or malfunctions, especially in machinery or aircraft.
Related words
ghost
ghost in the machine
