EN

Synonyms for gremlin

  • noun

Most common

elf imp pixie bug glitch whang-doodle

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Imp

imp, elf, pixie, brownie, hob

2. Bug — any mysterious, unknown source of mischief or trouble, or the problem created thereby

bug, glitch, hitch

3. Grommet — A young, inexperienced surfer or skateboarder, regarded as a nuisance

grommet, gremmie, grem slang, gremmy slang

Other

whang-doodle

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    Any mysterious, unknown source of mischief or trouble, or the problem created thereby.

    We rechecked everything, and we suspect gremlins in the database.

  2. n. 2

    A young, inexperienced surfer or skateboarder, regarded as a nuisance.

  3. n. 3

    An imaginary creature reputed to be mischievously inclined, for example, to damage or dismantle machinery.

Related words

Word family
gremmie gremmy

Forms

Plural
gremlins → imps, pixies, brownies, hobs…

Example sentences

  • elf You can play as a human, as an elf or as a dwarf.
  • imp That pesky imp must be punished.
  • bug Sami gave Layla a drink that had a dead bug in it.
  • glitch I couldn't find a solution to the technical glitch.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
gremlinrising
elfrising
impfalling
pixierising
bugrising
glitchrising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
bug1, elf1, imp1, hob1
4 letters
grem
5 letters
hitch1, pixie2
6 letters
glitch1, gremmy
7 letters
brownie2, grommet, gremmie

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (pixie2 = 2 syllables).