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
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
For the last five years, Dylan Brodaczynski has thrown on a green felt vest and played Santa's right-hand elf on Christmas morning at Children's Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Dec. 2025
My son believes that the elf is, in a word, enchanted.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
What music do Santa’s elves like the best?
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
For the last five years, Dylan Brodaczynski has thrown on a green felt vest and played Santa's right-hand elf on Christmas morning at Children's Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Dec. 2025
My son believes that the elf is, in a word, enchanted.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
What music do Santa’s elves like the best?
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elf
Noun
-
Hey, if Indiana can win a national championship, in part, thanks to NBA billionaire Mark Cuban playing benevolent NIL fairy godfather, then surely the DeVos family — owners of the Orlando Magic — could consider sprinkling a little of that pixie dust on UCF’s NIL program.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The novel follows Viola Lockhart, the last living member of house Rosebourne — a family that inherited from its fairy ancestor the ability to magically infuse fragrance to achieve their aims.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The ditch that’s up to 19 feet deep dwarfs the heavy machinery inside of it.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Selections available on the market include ‘Pride of Houston’, a medium to tall female shrub with a heavy fruit set, and ‘Schillings Dwarf’, a dwarf selection that grows only 3–4 feet tall and wide.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The plot follows a young girl who ends up wishing away her baby brother into the goblin labyrinth.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Henson was cast as Hoggle, one of the film’s most prominent goblins and Sarah’s reluctant ally, while also managing puppeteering responsibilities behind the scenes.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And thank the faeries for that.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The Unseelie Court is the bastion of malevolent faeries who harm humans for their amusement or to exact revenge.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
27 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elf. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
