How to pronounce goblin
Say it like GOB-lin. Goblin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce goblin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GOB
- lin
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Goblin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GOBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- linKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of goblin
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: GOB-lin.
What does goblin mean?
- Traditionally, a supernatural being of folklore, typically small and grotesque or misshapen, that commonly haunts dark places, often mischievous or malevolent; a type of evil elf, sprite, or demon.
- In later fantasy literature, an evil and grotesquely ugly humanoid, typically powerful and warlike, often associated with orcs and trolls.
- A hoodoo.
Where does goblin come from?
From Middle English gobelyn, from Old Northern French gobelin (compare Norman goubelin, Walloon gobelin), possibly a blend of Old Dutch *kobeholdo (“goblin”) (compare Dutch kabouter, German Kobold) and Late Latin cobalus (“mountain sprite”)
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying goblin
How do you pronounce goblin?
Say GOB-lin. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡɑblɪn/. In British English it is /ˈɡɒblɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in goblin?
Goblin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GOB). Broken into parts: GOB · lin.
Is goblin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɡɒblɪn/ (GOB-lin).