hobgoblin

hobgoblin

noun

Definition of HOBGOBLIN

1

an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers <in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Puck is a hobgoblin who plays pranks such as spoiling milk and tripping old ladies>

Synonyms brownie, dwarf, elf, faerie (also faery), fay, gnome, goblin, gremlin, hobgoblin, kobold, leprechaun, pixie (also pixy), puck, sprite, troll

Related Words little people; kelpie, nixie; changeling; imp; banshee, ghoul, hag, ogre

2

something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason <the fear of success and the pressures that come with it can be more of a hobgoblin than the possibility of failure>

Synonyms bête noire, black beast, bugaboo, bugbear, dread, hobgoblin, ogre

Related Words apparition, ghost, phantasm (also fantasm), phantom, poltergeist, shade, specter (or spectre), spirit, spook, wraith; banshee, bogeyman (also bogyman), demon (or daemon), devil, fiend, ghoul, imp, incubus; fright, horrible, horror, monster, monstrosity, terror; bane, curse, enemy, plague, scourge, torment; abomination, anathema