adjective
ghoulish
GOO-lihsh
Ghoulish (adjective) means showing a morbid delight in death, gore, or suffering. Example: “The tabloid ran a ghoulish photo of the crash scene.”
adjective
1
Showing a morbid delight in death, gore, or suffering.
"The tabloid ran a ghoulish photo of the crash scene."
"His ghoulish sense of humor unsettled the whole office."
How to use ghoulish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCreepily fascinated with death, gore, or macabre things.
Common pairings
ghoulish grin
ghoulish delight
ghoulish fascination
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ghoulish
- Superlative
- most ghoulish
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tabloid ran a _____ photo of the crash scene.
Etymology
From ghoul plus the adjective suffix -ish.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ghoulish” mean?
The word “ghoulish” means showing a morbid delight in death, gore, or suffering. In plain terms, creepily fascinated with death, gore, or macabre things.
How do you pronounce “ghoulish”?
“Ghoulish” is pronounced GOO-lihsh (/ˈɡuː.lɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ghoulish” in a sentence?
Here is “ghoulish” used in a sentence: “The tabloid ran a ghoulish photo of the crash scene.”
What part of speech is “ghoulish”?
“Ghoulish” is an adjective.
