: a cause of error or equipment malfunction (as in aircraft) conceived of as a small mischievous gnome
Examples of gremlin in a Sentence
during the World Wars, fighter pilots adopted the fanciful notion that gremlins were responsible for mechanical failures on their planes
Recent Examples on the Web
The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom.
—
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to uplevel your life.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to level up your life.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Not like a law breaker; more like a gremlin.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
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Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to uplevel your life.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to level up your life.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Not like a law breaker; more like a gremlin.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gremlin. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gremlin
noun
grem·lin
ˈgrem-lən 
: a small mischievous or troublesome creature
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