elf

1 of 2

noun

plural elves ˈelvz How to pronounce elf (audio)
1
: a small often mischievous fairy
2
: a small lively creature
also : a usually lively mischievous or malicious person
elfish adjective
elfishly adverb

ELF

2 of 2

abbreviation

extremely low frequency

Examples of elf in a Sentence

Noun elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Obsessed with the fantasy genre, this uniquely creative queen designs and sews her own outfits, often with a ‘futuristic elf’ aesthetic. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 Men in Santa Claus costumes and women dressed as elves are already converging on lower Manhattan to puke into gutters and pee between cars. Liam Sherwin-Murray, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 And character traits are no longer innate — a high elf, for example, need not necessarily be intelligent. New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 Santa Claus, a trusty elf, Spiderman, Captain Marvel and other superheroes, were hoisted by local fire trucks on Wednesday morning to offer well wishes to the patients and workers who awaited their arrival. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elf 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English ælf; akin to Old Norse alfr elf & perhaps to Latin albus white — more at alb

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elf was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near elf

Cite this Entry

“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

elf

noun
plural elves ˈelvz How to pronounce elf (audio)
: a small and often mischievous fairy
elfish adjective
elfishly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on elf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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