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Grendel

noun

Gren·​del ˈgren-dᵊl How to pronounce Grendel (audio)
: a monstrous man-eating descendant of Cain slain by Beowulf in the Old English poem Beowulf

Word History

Etymology

Old English

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Grendel was before the 12th century

Rhymes for Grendel

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Browse Nearby Words

grenatite
Grendel
Grenfell
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Cite this Entry

“Grendel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Grendel. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Grendel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Grendel

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