What does goblet mean?
A goblet is a decorative drinking vessel, usually shaped with a broad bowl, narrow stem, and stable base. In contemporary English, the word is especially associated with wine and with ceremonial, medieval, aristocratic, or historical settings, so it often sounds more elegant or traditional than the everyday word cup. A goblet may be made from silver, gold, pewter, glass, or another material and can serve either an ordinary purpose or a symbolic role in a ritual, banquet, or religious ceremony. The word is used in British and American English and can be literal, as when describing a cup displayed in a museum, or evocative, as in a story involving kings, knights, and feasts. Although chalice is sometimes used as a synonym, it more specifically suggests a cup used in a religious or solemn context. Goblet is therefore useful when the type, atmosphere, or symbolism of the vessel matters, while cup is preferable for a general, everyday reference.
nounA goblet is an ornamental drinking vessel, typically with a broad bowl, stem, and base. It is often associated with wine, ceremonial occasions, or historical and medieval settings.
- An ornamental or ceremonial drinking vessel, especially one with a bowl, stem, and base.
"The queen raised a golden goblet of wine as the guests toasted her victory."
"He drank from a silver goblet at the medieval-themed banquet."
"The museum displayed an ornate goblet beside a ceremonial dagger."
The standard plural is formed by adding -s to goblet.
"Several golden goblets stood on the banquet table."
A goblet is a drinking cup with a sense of ceremony: raise one and suddenly a simple glass of wine feels like part of a royal banquet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does goblet come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French gobelet, a diminutive of gob, meaning cup or bowl. The ultimate origin of gob is uncertain, so it should not confidently be assigned to a particular Latin or Greek source.
How goblet is actually used
Goblet is relatively formal and literary. It often carries historical, medieval, aristocratic, ceremonial, or religious associations, although it can be used plainly for any decorative stemmed cup.
Easily confused with goblet
A goblet is a drinking vessel, whereas a goblin is a mythical creature from folklore and fantasy.