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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
  • Guests to The Elf Experience will meet one of Santa’s helpers before entering Papa Elf’s storybook and heading to the North Pole to learn about the life of an elf.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In the dark comedy Bad Santa, Thornton plays Willie, a miserable, heavy-drinking con man who dresses up as Santa with his elf sidekick (Tony Cox) to rob department stores on Christmas Eve.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • And the book’s title and Madeleine’s nickname, Queen Mab, comes from a fairy referred to by Mercutio in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Although his kiss doesn’t break the curse in this retelling, his bravery and kindness help to unite the fairy and human kingdoms.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Sep. 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
  • This led to the observation of 47 dwarf galaxies, of which only four had previously been discovered.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Consider growing a dwarf variety like Citrus japonica ‘Nagami’ that’s suitable for indoor growing.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of dwarf

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KO'ing
kobold
kobolds
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Cite this Entry

“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kobold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kobold

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