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

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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 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 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
  • Ferrell starred as Buddy in the 2003 Christmas classic, which focused on a human adopted by elves and raised as an elf in the North Pole until one day, as an adult, discovering his true identity.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • At the end of 2005-2006, a whole host of elves got arrested and were sent to prison.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • Indulge in a little whimsy with this manicure that’s fit for a garden fairy.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026
  • Meander through a lush, fairy-worthy tapestry of ivy and narrow pathways forged throughout the B&B's history.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • 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
  • Follow the babe with the power into Jim Henson’s gloriously weird fantasy wonderland, where goblins sing, doors argue, and David Bowie’s Goblin King serves enough glam-rock charisma to power an entire kingdom.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of goblin
Noun
  • For pots, look for dwarf zinnia varieties that won’t require staking.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • As virality goes, this is not a big number, but the passion that the account has aroused dwarfs its reach.
    — David Kamp, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of dwarf

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Cite this Entry

“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on kobold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kobold

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