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kobold

noun
ko·​bold | \ ˈkō-ˌbȯld How to pronounce kobold (audio) \

Definition of kobold

1 : a gnome that in German folklore inhabits underground places
2 : an often mischievous domestic spirit of German folklore
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about kobold

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Examples of kobold in a Sentence

the metal cobalt gets its name from the medieval Germanic belief that its appearance in silver ore was the handiwork of mischievous, thieving kobolds

Recent Examples on the Web

 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, "Science Fiction: The Fire This Time," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kobold.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kobold

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for kobold

German — more at cobalt

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More from Merriam-Webster on kobold

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with kobold

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for kobold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kobold

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