noun Uncommon

hobbit

HO-biht

Hobbit (noun) means In fantasy fiction, a member of a small, human-like race with hairy feet, known for enjoying comfort and quiet living. Example: “Bilbo Baggins is the hobbit hero of Tolkien's novel.”

noun

In fantasy fiction, a member of a small, human-like race with hairy feet, known for enjoying comfort and quiet living.

"Bilbo Baggins is the hobbit hero of Tolkien's novel."

Informally, a short or diminutive person.

"He joked that his younger brother was built like a hobbit."

An extinct small-bodied human species, Homo floresiensis, whose fossils were found on the Indonesian island of Flores.

"Scientists nicknamed the tiny fossil skeleton "the hobbit"."

How to use hobbit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, homely fictional being from Tolkien's stories — or, loosely, any short person.

Word forms

hobbits plural, hobbitses plural, hobbits plural

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Bilbo Baggins is the _____ hero of Tolkien's novel.

Etymology

Invented by J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1930s for his novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings; he later joked it might come from an imagined Old English word meaning "hole-dweller".

Origin: Old English · First attested 1930

Class of 1930 hobbit joined the language around 1930.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hobbit” mean?

The word “hobbit” means in fantasy fiction, a member of a small, human-like race with hairy feet, known for enjoying comfort and quiet living. In plain terms, a small, homely fictional being from Tolkien's stories — or, loosely, any short person.

How do you pronounce “hobbit”?

“Hobbit” is pronounced HO-biht (/ˈhɒbɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “hobbit” in a sentence?

Here is “hobbit” used in a sentence: “Bilbo Baggins is the hobbit hero of Tolkien's novel.”

What part of speech is “hobbit”?

“Hobbit” is a noun.

Where does the word “hobbit” come from?

The word “hobbit” dates back to around 1930 and comes from Old English. Invented by J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1930s for his novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings; he later joked it might come from an imagined Old English word meaning "hole-dweller".

Is “hobbit” a common word?

“Hobbit” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hobbit” have?

“Hobbit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in fantasy fiction, a member of a small, human-like race with hairy feet, known for enjoying comfort and quiet living.