View synonyms for

gremlin

[ grem-lin ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a mischievous invisible being, said by airplane pilots in World War II to cause engine trouble and mechanical difficulties.
any cause of trouble, difficulties, etc., especially in a mechanical, electrical, computer, or other system:
A loose wire was the gremlin that blew out the lights.

gremlin

/ ˈɡ��ɛ��ɪ�� /

noun

an imaginary imp jokingly said to be responsible for malfunctions in machinery
any mischievous troublemaker

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gremlin¹

First recorded in 1925–30; of obscure origin; in its earliest attested use, an RAF term for a low-ranking officer or enlisted man assigned the most onerous duties; later development perhaps affected by phonetic resemblance to goblin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gremlin¹

C20: perhaps a corruption of goblin

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Synonym Study

See goblin.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Johnson knew that when he made his return, that song, and a chorus line of mental gremlins, would be waiting.

From

Seven was almost positive Valley was a cuco or, at the very least, part gremlin.

From

��ever qualms I had were the kind of technical gremlins that taunt any opening night.

From

“I’m calling it a little gremlin in my ribcage,” Turner joked.

From

Or might the notoriously finicky electrical systems in British vehicles bedevil these vehicles with compounded gremlins?

From

Related Words

goblin

gremial gremmie

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