as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elf
Not as great of a kids’ parade as the one at Christmas with elves and Santa Claus and toys and snowmen.
—
David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
One of Magnason’s first jobs was at the National Archives of Iceland, where he was surrounded by books about the old Norse gods, colonial histories, and even stories about elves.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elf
David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
One of Magnason’s first jobs was at the National Archives of Iceland, where he was surrounded by books about the old Norse gods, colonial histories, and even stories about elves.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elf
Noun
-
The exhibition centers on a film created with generative AI trained on an archive that includes fairy folklore and the Victorian mania for invention.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Her glam team complemented the off-the-shoulder design with ethereal fairy makeup, including rosy pink blush and shimmering eyeshadow.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
For a more complex arrangement, try stacking dwarf azaleas in front of taller mountain laurels and select plants with coordinating flower colors.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
13 June 2026
-
The rounded dwarf types fit neatly into compact gardens as foundation plantings, borders, or accents.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
After all, everyone's inner goblin comes out eventually.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
The scientists only got a passing glimpse of the goblin shark before the lights and loud noise from the ROV's motor scared it away, Auscavitch told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Maeve learns that the legends she was raised on — stories of faeries, kelpies and seelies — are actually true.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
The plays are set in locations as varied as courts, forests, battlefields, and even the realm of faerie.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elf. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
