noun

nis

Nis (noun) means In Scandinavian folklore, a small household spirit or hobgoblin said to live on a farm. Example: “Farmers left out porridge to keep the nis happy.”

noun

In Scandinavian folklore, a small household spirit or hobgoblin said to live on a farm.

"Farmers left out porridge to keep the nis happy."

How to use nis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mischievous little folklore spirit believed to live around farms in Scandinavia.

When to use it

Rare outside folklore and fantasy contexts.

Word forms

nisses plural

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Fill the gap

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Farmers left out porridge to keep the _____ happy.

Etymology

Borrowed from Danish nisse, a folklore house-spirit similar to a brownie or gnome.

Origin: Danish

Frequently asked questions

What does “nis” mean?

The word “nis” means in Scandinavian folklore, a small household spirit or hobgoblin said to live on a farm. In plain terms, a mischievous little folklore spirit believed to live around farms in Scandinavia.

How do you use “nis” in a sentence?

Here is “nis” used in a sentence: “Farmers left out porridge to keep the nis happy.”

What part of speech is “nis”?

“Nis” is a noun.

Where does the word “nis” come from?

The word “nis” comes from Danish. Borrowed from Danish nisse, a folklore house-spirit similar to a brownie or gnome.

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Vocabulary lists that include nis:

Words with scandinavian origins