noun

Rumpelstiltskin

ruhm-puhl-STIHLTS-kihn

Rumpelstiltskin (noun) means a classic fairy tale in which a small, mischievous imp spins straw into gold for a miller's daughter, then demands her firstborn child unless she can guess his name. Example: “The children acted out Rumpelstiltskin for the school play.”

noun

A classic fairy tale in which a small, mischievous imp spins straw into gold for a miller's daughter, then demands her firstborn child unless she can guess his name.

"The children acted out Rumpelstiltskin for the school play."

"Like Rumpelstiltskin, the deal sounded too good until the price came due."

The impish title character of that story.

"Rumpelstiltskin stamped his foot so hard the floor split open."

How to use Rumpelstiltskin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fairy-tale imp who trades magic for a terrible price, or the story itself — often invoked for any "guess my name/secret" deal.

Memory tip

People use "a Rumpelstiltskin situation" to mean a deal that seems free but has a hidden, steep cost.

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Etymology

From German Rumpelstilzchen; the exact origin of the name is debated, but "rumpel" evokes a rattling, clattering goblin.

Origin: German

Synonyms

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Tom Tit Tot

Frequently asked questions

What does “Rumpelstiltskin” mean?

The word “Rumpelstiltskin” means a classic fairy tale in which a small, mischievous imp spins straw into gold for a miller's daughter, then demands her firstborn child unless she can guess his name. In plain terms, a fairy-tale imp who trades magic for a terrible price, or the story itself — often invoked for any "guess my name/secret" deal.

How do you pronounce “Rumpelstiltskin”?

“Rumpelstiltskin” is pronounced ruhm-puhl-STIHLTS-kihn (/ˌɹʌmpəlˈstɪltskɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Rumpelstiltskin” in a sentence?

Here is “Rumpelstiltskin” used in a sentence: “The children acted out Rumpelstiltskin for the school play.”

What is another word for “Rumpelstiltskin”?

Words with a similar meaning to “Rumpelstiltskin” include Tom Tit Tot.

What part of speech is “Rumpelstiltskin”?

“Rumpelstiltskin” is a noun.

Where does the word “Rumpelstiltskin” come from?

The word “Rumpelstiltskin” comes from German. From German Rumpelstilzchen; the exact origin of the name is debated, but "rumpel" evokes a rattling, clattering goblin.

How many meanings does “Rumpelstiltskin” have?

“Rumpelstiltskin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a classic fairy tale in which a small, mischievous imp spins straw into gold for a miller's daughter, then demands her firstborn child unless she can guess his name.