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

At the title track’s video shoot, Michael gives directorial instructions in full ghoul makeup. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026

Here was music that pushed the genre back to the realm of ghosts and ghouls, the ideal soundtrack for doing battle with Dracula on the spiral staircase of his manor. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026

With Adam Roberts announcing the tempos on the baby grand piano, the ghouls in Tevye’s nightmare emerge from around the fourposter. — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026

Night of the Living Dead centers all the action at a farmhouse, where seven people attempt to ward off the ghouls — without any prior knowledge of how to do so. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 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