gremlin
Gremlin (noun) means a mischievous imaginary creature blamed for mechanical faults or malfunctions, especially in machinery or aircraft. Example: “Pilots joked that a gremlin must be loose in the engine.”
How to use gremlin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn invisible troublemaker you blame when something breaks for no obvious reason — or, informally, an annoying person.
Don't confuse with goblin, a similar but distinct folklore creature — gremlins are specifically associated with machinery and mischief, not treasure or trickery in general.
Word forms
gremlins plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Pilots joked that a _____ must be loose in the engine.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for gremlin
See all rhymes for 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.