ghoul

noun

ˈgül 

1

: a legendary evil being that robs graves and feeds on corpses

2

: one suggestive of a ghoul

especially : one who shows morbid interest in things considered shocking or repulsive

Synonyms of ghoul

• demon
• ghost
• vampire
• devil

Examples of ghoul in a Sentence

in Arabic folklore, ghouls could change their shapes but had one unchanging feature: donkey's hooves for feet

Recent Examples on the Web

This year a ghoul towers over the entrance, welcoming visitors — or perhaps warning them to stay away. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

At its strongest, Crossing the Red Line paints an important portrait of the ghouls who prosecuted the genocide in Gaza, offering an historically crucial record of their conduct and their failures. — Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2026

No ghosts, ghouls, or demons here, just the evil things that greed makes people do, at least until the little guy starts fighting back. — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Next week, find out how monsters, ghouls and slashers can also mean big bucks. — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Arabic ghūl

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ghoul

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• mule
• pool
• poul
• rule
• school
• spool

Kids Definition

ghoul

noun

ˈgül 

1

: an evil being of legend that robs graves and feeds on corpses

2

: a person (as a grave robber) whose activities suggest those of a ghoul

ghoulish

ˈgü-lish 

adjective

ghoulishly adverb

ghoulishness noun