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
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Recent Examples of kobold
But certain kobolds known as drakes may appear as fiery dragons, which can fly through the air like stripes in the sky.
—
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kobold
Noun
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The actress will play an elf named Seren, who is a brand new character for the Lord of the Rings franchise.
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The new version will still have the traditional arrow counting down the days to the holiday but also will include moving elves who are helping prepare things for Christmas.
Noun
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For something dreamier, A Midsummer Night’s Dream theme pairs flower garlands and fairy lights with pretty appetizers and edible floral cocktails.
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Flower garlands, fairy lights everywhere, pretty appetizers and edible floral cocktails.
Noun
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After all, everyone's inner goblin comes out eventually.
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The scientists only got a passing glimpse of the goblin shark before the lights and loud noise from the ROV's motor scared it away, Auscavitch told ABC News.
Noun
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Beyond the fruit, the dwarf golden spice pear features clusters of white spring blooms and glossy leaves that turn a striking burgundy or bronze color in the fall.
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Many get very large, so be sure to buy a dwarf variety for foundation plantings.
Cite this Entry
“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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