gremlin

noun

grem·lin ˈgrem-lən

: 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

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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 The holiday tale doubles as a good entry into horror for youngsters, with a small town beset by freaky gremlins because teenagers can't follow simple instructions. —

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gremlin