gnome

noun

Definition of gnomenext
as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers in Europe, gnomes are thought to guard underground treasure, so that may be why statues of them are commonly placed in gardens

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 gnome The venerable patriarch is leaning heavily on an ebony cane, and is followed closely by his personal assistant, a bald gnome of a man, armed with a notebook and pencil. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 This year, Charles and Camilla were honored with a set of garden gnomes painted with their names—a reference to the show lifting its long-running ban on garden gnomes for a celebrity gnome-painting fundraiser. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 May 2026 Although the term might conjure thoughts of minuscule garden gnomes and fairies, the reality is quite the opposite. — ABC News, 12 May 2026 Or bring home statues and antique garden gnomes from estate sales, assuming My Lovely Attorney has it for the weekend. — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnome
  1. fairy
  2. elf
  3. dwarf
  4. goblin
Noun
  • Saturday, utilizes 56,000 square feet of indoor space to host more than 200 vendors, sword-fighting, costume contests, live musicians, mermaids, fairies and photo ops.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Their feelings change when Fran has an encounter with Silky (Nicola Coughlan of Bridgerton), an exuberant fairy, who invites her to join her for tea at the Magic Faraway Tree.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • Ella is a young woman cursed to obey all instructions whose quest for self-determination also turns her into an advocate for the kingdom’s oppressed elves and ogres.
    — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The actress took to making videos of herself brushing and playing with her long hair while dressed as an elf, a maid or even Lavender Brown.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of elf
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
  • The magical ring that helped Bilbo escape the goblins had become an instrument of addiction and mass political control.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of goblin

Browse Nearby Words

gnaws (on)
gnome
gnomes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gnome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnome. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gnome

Nglish: Translation of gnome for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gnome

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