What is the difference between a Goblin and a Orc In Lord of the Rings?

Question

I keep hearing they are the same is this true? I am really confused. Is there a phyiscal difference?

Answer 1

Orc is a word used to refer to various tough and warlike humanoid creatures in various fantasy settings, particularly in the stories of Middle-earth written by J. R. R. Tolkien and derivative fictions. Orcs are often portrayed as misshapen humanoids with brutal, warmongering, sadistic, yet cowardly tendencies, although some settings and writers describe them as a proud warrior race with a strong sense of honour. They are variously portrayed as physically stronger or weaker than humans, but always high in numbers. They often ride wolves or wargs. In many role-playing and computer games, though not in Tolkien's works, Orcs have green skin (earning the name "Greenskins" in most games) and have faces that resemble a cross between a pig and a primate. Ogre is sometimes used as a synonym or refers to a similar creature within the fiction.


A goblin is an evil or merely mischievous creature of folklore, often described in as a grotesquely disfigured or gnome-like phantom, that may range in height from that of a dwarf to that of a human. They are attributed with various (sometimes conflicting) abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin.

Answer 2

The lot of answers above mine are so close but yet so far.

Goblins and Orcs are the same race and yes they are fallen elves. The elves where taken underground and tortured and kept in slavery for a very long time and POOF you have a goblin or an orc. The name did not mean much until the making of the Uruk-hai.

Uruk-hai are large black orcs of great strength and are much smarter then your average orc. It became common after the Uruk-hai to call common orcs by the name goblin.

So no difference between orc and goblin. Huge difference between Uruk-hai and orc/goblin.

Answer 3

What Is An Orc

Answer 4

They are similar but orcs are bigger and tougher than goblins. It's like comparing a Turk with an Arab, or a Chinese with a Japanese.

Answer 5

Goblins are a part of the race of Orcs much like there are subraces of humans. They look different from the other race of orcs much like how a chinese differ from japanese people. They still have the basic structure.

Answer 6

Not that this is a scientific discussion by any means. Middle Earth is a fantasy place, and as such, includes a number of made up creatures. When JRRT wrote The Hobbit, his literary style was reminiscent of a teller of children's fairytales. The Lord of the Rings, and subsequent writings expanded his view of Middle Earth and evolved into some pretty sophisticated literature. He started with Goblins/Orcs in The Hobbit and later clarified that Orc ("Yrrch") was a Common Speech corruption of the elvish word for Goblin.

Try not to analyze fantasy too much...you're supposed to lay back and enjoy it.

Answer 7

There is no difference. In the book, Legolas says, "yrch" which means "orcs" in Elvish when they come into Moria. In the movie, he says, "goblins." They are synonyms.

Answer 8

An Orc is a fallen elf and Goblins come from the
caverns of the underground hell. Goblins come
in many shapes, they even look like Orcs.
Goblins are demonic creatured of hell.

Answer 9

orcs are bigger and follow saruman and sauron only. goblins are smaller, live in caves, and don't follow anyone except themsleves. the reason goblins were attacking the fellowship was because the fellowship invaded their territory pretty much and becuase they're mindless sentient beings and were probably dying for some meat.

Answer 10

Goblins where once men and they turned into goblins, somehow. The Orc was created by the wizard, somehow. I think that's what it is. Please correct, if wrong!

Goblins need to eat because they are still living creatures where as the Orc has no need to eat because he is a creature of magic. Has boundless energy and can and go and go, like the energizer bunny.