noun
Uncommon
elf
ehlf
Elf (noun) means a small, magical humanlike creature from folklore, often mischievous; in modern fantasy, a tall, graceful, immortal being. Example: “In the old stories, an elf might swap a human baby for one of its own.”
noun
1
A small, magical humanlike creature from folklore, often mischievous; in modern fantasy, a tall, graceful, immortal being.
"In the old stories, an elf might swap a human baby for one of its own."
"The elves in the novel are skilled archers who live for centuries."
"The children left out biscuits in case a mischievous elf visited overnight."
How to use elf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA magical creature from folklore and fantasy stories — traditionally small and mischievous, but often tall and elegant in modern fantasy.
Common pairings
Christmas elf
wood elf
elf ears
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- elfs
- Past tense
- elfed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the old stories, an _____ might swap a human baby for one of its own.
Etymology
From Old English ælf, from a Proto-Germanic root probably meaning "white" or "shining." The tall, noble elf of modern fantasy owes much to J.R.R. Tolkien's writing.
Related words
Rhymes for elf
See all rhymes for elf →Frequently asked questions
What does “elf” mean?
The word “elf” means a small, magical humanlike creature from folklore, often mischievous; in modern fantasy, a tall, graceful, immortal being. In plain terms, a magical creature from folklore and fantasy stories — traditionally small and mischievous, but often tall and elegant in modern fantasy.
How do you pronounce “elf”?
“Elf” is pronounced ehlf (/ɛlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “elf” in a sentence?
Here is “elf” used in a sentence: “In the old stories, an elf might swap a human baby for one of its own.”
What part of speech is “elf”?
“Elf” is a noun.
Where does the word “elf” come from?
The word “elf” comes from Old English. From Old English ælf, from a Proto-Germanic root probably meaning "white" or "shining." The tall, noble elf of modern fantasy owes much to J.R.R. Tolkien's writing.
Is “elf” a common word?
“Elf” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between an elf in traditional folklore and an elf in modern fantasy?
In traditional folklore, an elf is typically a small, magical humanlike creature, often mischievous. In modern fantasy, such as in Tolkien-inspired fiction, an elf is usually reimagined as a tall, graceful, immortal being.
What is the difference between an elf and a fairy?
An elf is a humanlike magical being from folklore or fantasy, sometimes mischievous and sometimes noble and immortal. A fairy is a related but distinct folkloric creature, often smaller and more strongly associated with magic and nature, though the two terms overlap heavily in popular use.
What is the plural of "elf"?
The plural of "elf" is "elves," following the same pattern as words like "leaf" becoming "leaves."
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