elf

noun

ˈelf How to pronounce elf (audio)
Definition of elfnext
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

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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 The actress will play an elf named Seren, who is a brand new character for the Lord of the Rings franchise. — Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 The new version will still have the traditional arrow counting down the days to the holiday but also will include moving elves who are helping prepare things for Christmas. — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 30 May 2026 Eager to prove herself, Goldie, Jerri’s ambitious elf assistant, is sent from sunny California to shut down the world’s last traditional toy workshop, hidden deep in the rainy British countryside. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 May 2026 There’s also caviar and cookies and Christmas trees and Housewives and Bravolebrities, all surrounded by twink elves in Christmas G-strings. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for elf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elf
  1. fairy
  2. dwarf
  3. goblin
  4. faerie
Noun
  • Melissa, who affectionately calls her daughters Big Sis and Lil Sis online, says that the fairy holding an open book in her lap is representative of her older daughter who loves to read.
    — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Fill yours with soft fairy lights, autumn potpourri, or Halloween candy.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • When a larger galaxy pulls apart a smaller dwarf galaxy, the dwarf’s stars can stretch into a stream — a cosmic breadcrumb trail of that encounter.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • To avoid this, sow dwarf crepe myrtles at least 4 to 6 feet apart, space standard-sized trees at least 8 feet from each other, and keep crepe myrtles of any size at least 3 feet away from fencing.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dwarf
Noun
  • Two years ago, the Man City phenom appeared in a 90-second spot for the game that saw him get recruited to storm a castle teeming with goblins, dragons and impish skeletons.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
  • Follow the babe with the power into Jim Henson’s gloriously weird fantasy wonderland, where goblins sing, doors argue, and David Bowie’s Goblin King serves enough glam-rock charisma to power an entire kingdom.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of goblin
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
Definition of faerie

Browse Nearby Words

eleventh hours
elf
elfin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elf. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on elf

Nglish: Translation of elf for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elf

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