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

For centuries, a peace treaty between humans and the Black World — which houses all manner of witches, demons, and ghouls — has been in place to ensure separation between the two factions. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

Participants are encouraged to come dressed as ghosts, ghouls, vampires, witches or pop culture characters. —Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025

The electric vehicle company is rolling out a seasonal theme as a part of its software update that's made for ghouls, goblins and things that go bump in the night. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

But this Halloween, chasing away the ghouls haunting Tesla looks like a miracle too far. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025

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