Lidérlike

Lidérlike is a term used in folklore studies and fantasy fiction to describe beings, phenomena, or motifs that resemble the Hungarian lidérc, a nocturnal spirit from Hungarian folklore. The word is formed by adding the English suffix -like to lidérc, signaling likeness rather than a fixed taxonomic category.

In traditional accounts, lidércek are enigmatic entities associated with night, light, and mystery, with descriptions varying by region and tale. The lidérlike motif therefore encompasses a range of forms—glowing appearances, small shapeshifting shapes, or human-like figures—that emerge at night and may move through landscapes such as forests or near water. Common emphasis is on an uncanny or luminous presence, unpredictability, and forms that cross boundaries between the natural and supernatural.

Scholars use lidérlike to compare similar motifs across cultures, noting connections to lamp-lit spirits, will-o'-the-wisps, and other nocturnal phenomena that lure, mislead, or provoke caution in travelers. The concept also appears in modern fantasy literature and role-playing games, where lidérlike beings are often depicted as ambivalent entities with mutable appearances and powers reflecting the folkloric ambiguity surrounding lidércek.

See also lidérc; lamp-lit spirits; will-o'-the-wisp.