plural elves
ˈelvz 
1
: a small often mischievous fairy
2
: a small lively creature
also
: a usually lively mischievous or malicious person
elfishly
adverb
extremely low frequency
Synonyms of elf
Examples of elf in a Sentence
Noun
elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Ashley Bishop, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Jenkins dressed as Santa Claus at community events and the 6-feet-3-inch, 145-pound Bledsoe as an elf.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
In February, Golden’s organization for the first time opened full membership, with voting rights, to all Christmas characters, including elves.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
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Noun
The reindeer team, the elf team — everyone will be there.
—Lauren Ashley Bishop, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Jenkins dressed as Santa Claus at community events and the 6-feet-3-inch, 145-pound Bledsoe as an elf.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
In February, Golden’s organization for the first time opened full membership, with voting rights, to all Christmas characters, including elves.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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