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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA mischievous little folklore spirit believed to live around farms in Scandinavia.
When to use it
Rare outside folklore and fantasy contexts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nisses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Farmers left out porridge to keep the _____ happy.
Etymology
Borrowed from Danish nisse, a folklore house-spirit similar to a brownie or gnome.
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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