: a cause of error or equipment malfunction (as in aircraft) conceived of as a small mischievous gnome
Examples of gremlin in a Sentence
during the World Wars, fighter pilots adopted the fanciful notion that gremlins were responsible for mechanical failures on their planes
Recent Examples on the Web
No longer were gremlins only representative of niche superstitions held by nervous military airmen.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ghosts in the Machine Ellen Walker October 23, 2024
Forty years ago, Hollywood made gremlins loveable—portraying them as adorable, furry creatures.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Dec. 2024
The gremlins come out; the edifices crumble; the saucy doubts and fears triumph.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ghosts in the Machine Ellen Walker October 23, 2024
Forty years ago, Hollywood made gremlins loveable—portraying them as adorable, furry creatures.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Dec. 2024
The gremlins come out; the edifices crumble; the saucy doubts and fears triumph.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Articles Related to gremlin
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gremlin. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gremlin
noun
grem·lin
ˈgrem-lən 
: a small mischievous or troublesome creature
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