kobold

noun

ˈkō-ˌbȯld How to pronounce kobold (audio)
Definition of koboldnext
as in elf
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers the metal cobalt gets its name from the medieval Germanic belief that its appearance in silver ore was the handiwork of mischievous, thieving kobolds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kobold Monster Vault allows the designers to take a crack at some classic creatures like kobolds, goblins, demons and dragons. — Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 This element takes its name from the German word kobelt, signifying kobolds—gnomes and goblins thought to haunt mines. — Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023 The word cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning goblin. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022 Otherworldly cities modeled on real ones have been a standby of fantasy, from Superman’s Metropolis through China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun to Michael Swanwick’s Babel, with its haints and kobolds, ethnic politics and human ward-heelers. — Tom Shippey, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for kobold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kobold
  1. elf
  2. fairy
  3. goblin
  4. dwarf
Noun
  • Ella is a young woman cursed to obey all instructions whose quest for self-determination also turns her into an advocate for the kingdom’s oppressed elves and ogres.
    — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The actress took to making videos of herself brushing and playing with her long hair while dressed as an elf, a maid or even Lavender Brown.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • Saturday, utilizes 56,000 square feet of indoor space to host more than 200 vendors, sword-fighting, costume contests, live musicians, mermaids, fairies and photo ops.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Their feelings change when Fran has an encounter with Silky (Nicola Coughlan of Bridgerton), an exuberant fairy, who invites her to join her for tea at the Magic Faraway Tree.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • The magical ring that helped Bilbo escape the goblins had become an instrument of addiction and mass political control.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Two years ago, the Man City phenom appeared in a 90-second spot for the game that saw him get recruited to storm a castle teeming with goblins, dragons and impish skeletons.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of goblin
Noun
  • When a larger galaxy pulls apart a smaller dwarf galaxy, the dwarf’s stars can stretch into a stream — a cosmic breadcrumb trail of that encounter.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • To avoid this, sow dwarf crepe myrtles at least 4 to 6 feet apart, space standard-sized trees at least 8 feet from each other, and keep crepe myrtles of any size at least 3 feet away from fencing.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dwarf

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kobold
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Cite this Entry

“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kobold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kobold

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