elf

1 of 2

noun

ˈelf 

plural elves ˈelvz 

1

: a small often mischievous fairy

2

: a small lively creature

also : a usually lively mischievous or malicious person

elfish

ˈel-fish 

adjective

elfishly adverb

ELF

2 of 2

abbreviation

extremely low frequency

Synonyms

Noun

• brownie
• dwarf
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• fay
• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• kobold
• leprechaun
• pixie
• pixy
• puck
• sprite
• troll

Examples of elf in a Sentence

Noun

elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Don’t forget about the storied elves — prominent in local advertisements and in the deli’s window displays, the company touts them as the invisible makers of its beloved sausage. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Monaghan appeared alongside Wood, Boyd and Bloom in LOTR as hobbits Merry, Frodo and Pippin, and elf Legolas in the original film franchise, which ran from 2001 to 2003. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024

Back Dough is where the baking elves arrive in the predawn to do their work, making dozens of these little wheels of goodness that fill the display cases at the counter. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024

An elf showing extreme emotion is a rare thing, and Théoden basically shrugs off Legolas’s grief. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English ælf; akin to Old Norse alfr elf & perhaps to Latin albus white — more at alb

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elf

• elf owl

Kids Definition

elf

noun

ˈelf 

plural elves ˈelvz 

: a small and often mischievous fairy

elfish

ˈel-fish 

adjective

elfishly adverb