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
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
The film centers on Jonas, a troubled practitioner of magic who assembles a group of companions – including rogue Dagon, elf Nimue and assassin Solomon – to investigate a mysterious corruption spreading through a quiet village in the mystical Realm of Eldervin.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elf
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
The film centers on Jonas, a troubled practitioner of magic who assembles a group of companions – including rogue Dagon, elf Nimue and assassin Solomon – to investigate a mysterious corruption spreading through a quiet village in the mystical Realm of Eldervin.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elf
Noun
-
The early universe, a mere whisper after the Big Bang, just a few hundred million years old — that's when the first stars and galaxies were starting to flicker on, like fairy lights across a cosmic dark.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
-
And there’s a fairy circle of grand conifers, whose center is perfect for picnicking — or perhaps casting witchy spells.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Consider selecting a dwarf variety and use a potting mix for acid-loving plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
-
Melissa Higgins, the wholesale manager at Sprague’s Nursery & Gardens Center, notes that in warmer climates, any dwarf, container-friendly peach variety would generally thrive on patios.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The move forces her to plunge herself into his fantastical maze-realm to retrieve him in 13 hours, lest he be turned into a goblin.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This one just happens to involve wizards, goblins, and one savage, half-blind dragon.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
And thank the faeries for that.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elf. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
