# ghoul

/ˈɡuɫ/ (US) · /ɡˈuːl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ghoul
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a creature from Middle Eastern stories that eats the bodies of dead people. In modern slang, it is also a person who likes to watch others have sex or be embarrassed.

For teachers: a creature from Arabic folklore that consumes human flesh, typically that of corpses. In contemporary informal usage, it refers to a person who derives pleasure from the suffering or humiliation of others, particularly in the context of voyeurism.

## Examples

- He is a real ghoul who likes to watch people's private lives.
- The internet is full of ghouls who post videos of people's most embarrassing moments without their permission.
- While the original myth depicts the ghoul as a nocturnal predator of the dead, modern usage has shifted to describe those who exploit the private misfortunes of others for their own entertainment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.