elf

1 of 2

noun

plural elves ˈelvz How to pronounce elf (audio)
1
: a small often mischievous fairy
2
: a small lively creature
also : a usually lively mischievous or malicious person
elfish adjective
elfishly adverb

ELF

2 of 2

abbreviation

extremely low frequency

Examples of elf in a Sentence

Noun elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
However, finding young actors who were not afraid of the dark elf proved challenging during filming. Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 22 June 2025 Using Sindarin, the language Tolkien crafted for the elves, Woolley built the rest of the name. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025 Security mistook Maxa, my friend from the lobby, for one of our kind, and he was ejected, too, though not before pressing through the crowd to get his photo taken with the dark elf. Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 During one high elf’s dialogue in the original Oblivion, a dissatisfied voice actor can be heard objecting to and then immediately rerecording her line about thieves and their break-ins. Jamal Michel, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elf

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of elf was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

elf

noun
plural elves ˈelvz How to pronounce elf (audio)
: a small and often mischievous fairy
elfish adjective
elfishly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on elf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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