What does ghoulie mean?
Ghoulie is a noun used for a ghoul, especially an evil or frightening creature encountered in stories, folklore, and other imaginative contexts. It is an alternative form of ghoul, formed with the familiar English -ie ending, and is especially associated with British English, although it is also used in North America. Its tone is generally informal and often playful or childlike, so it can sound more like a storybook bogeyman than a frightening supernatural being. Writers may also use it figuratively for a repulsive or grotesque person, though that use is less precise than the word monster and more literary than the word ghoul. The spelling goolie is a recognized variant. Ghoulie appeared in English during the 19th century, while ghoul itself was borrowed earlier through French from Arabic. The word is useful when a writer wants to evoke the atmosphere of a children’s tale, a spooky attraction, or a deliberately whimsical monster without resorting to the more formal and semantically broad ghoul. It is uncommon in everyday formal prose but remains recognized in contemporary English.
nounA ghoul or evil spirit, especially a frightening creature portrayed in a story. It may also refer figuratively to a grotesque or repulsive person.
- An evil spirit, goblin-like creature, or frightening monster, especially one appearing in stories or folklore.
"A ghoulie emerged from the darkness at the end of the lane."
"The children called the shadowy figure lurking in the woods a ghoulie."
"The old illustration depicts a ghoulie with a skeletal face and long, bony fingers."
The regular plural is ghoulies, with the -ies spelling.
"The ghoulies appeared as the heroes approached the abandoned house."
Ghoulie is ghoul wearing an -ie ending—a small spelling change that makes the monster sound more storybook than solemn.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ghoulie come from?
Ghoulie developed as an English variant of ghoul, an early modern borrowing through French from Arabic غول (ghūl), meaning a demon or evil spirit. The -ie form is attested in the 19th century. Related English forms include goolie and the older spellings goul and gool.
Related word forms
How ghoulie is actually used
Informal and often playful, childish, or literary in tone. It is especially associated with British English but is also used in North America, and its figurative use for a grotesque or repulsive person is uncommon.
Easily confused with ghoulie
Goolie is another established spelling variant of ghoul; in modern English, ghoulie and goolie generally have the same meaning.