noun
Uncommon
gnome
NOHM
Gnome (noun) means a small, legendary earth-dwelling being, often shown as an old bearded man, said to guard underground treasure or mines. Example: “In the story, a gnome guarded the entrance to the underground cavern.”
noun
1
A small, legendary earth-dwelling being, often shown as an old bearded man, said to guard underground treasure or mines.
"In the story, a gnome guarded the entrance to the underground cavern."
2
A small ornamental statue of such a figure, often placed in a garden.
"A ceramic gnome stood next to the flowerbed."
3
Informal: a secretive, powerful figure in international banking or finance.
"Journalists joked about the "gnomes" who quietly control the bond markets."
How to use gnome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mythical little bearded earth-creature, or the garden ornament shaped like one.
Common pairings
garden gnome
a gnome in fantasy fiction
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Word forms
- Plural
- gnomes, gnomae, gnomai
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the story, a _____ guarded the entrance to the underground cavern.
Etymology
From French gnome, coined in New Latin by the Renaissance physician Paracelsus as another word for a pygmy-like earth spirit.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for gnome
See all rhymes for gnome →Frequently asked questions
What does “gnome” mean?
The word “gnome” means a small, legendary earth-dwelling being, often shown as an old bearded man, said to guard underground treasure or mines. In plain terms, a mythical little bearded earth-creature, or the garden ornament shaped like one.
How do you pronounce “gnome”?
“Gnome” is pronounced NOHM (/ˈnoʊ̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “gnome” in a sentence?
Here is “gnome” used in a sentence: “In the story, a gnome guarded the entrance to the underground cavern.”
What part of speech is “gnome”?
“Gnome” is a noun.
Where does the word “gnome” come from?
The word “gnome” comes from New Latin. From French gnome, coined in New Latin by the Renaissance physician Paracelsus as another word for a pygmy-like earth spirit.
Is “gnome” a common word?
“Gnome” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gnome” have?
“Gnome” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, legendary earth-dwelling being, often shown as an old bearded man, said to guard underground treasure or mines.
