plural elves
ˈelvz 
1
: a small often mischievous fairy
2
: a small lively creature
also
: a usually lively mischievous or malicious person
elfishly
adverb
extremely low frequency
Examples of elf in a Sentence
Noun
elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The story follows Ferrell as Buddy, a human man raised by Santa's elves, who ultimately leaves the North Pole to search for his biological father (James Caan) in New York City.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Their opposites are the kind Mystics, who shelter one of the last Gelfling, an elf-like race that the Skeksis had wiped out years prior.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Kelsey recently began selling her wreath attachments — such as big-eyed felt bunnies for Easter, and elves and snowmen for Christmas — in her Etsy store, Peppermint Sue’s Perfections.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
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
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community helped Santa’s elves during the recent holiday season in collecting nearly 1,700 toys and bikes that were then donated to local organizations for distribution to families in need in the Twin Cities metro area.
—Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The story follows Ferrell as Buddy, a human man raised by Santa's elves, who ultimately leaves the North Pole to search for his biological father (James Caan) in New York City.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Their opposites are the kind Mystics, who shelter one of the last Gelfling, an elf-like race that the Skeksis had wiped out years prior.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Kelsey recently began selling her wreath attachments — such as big-eyed felt bunnies for Easter, and elves and snowmen for Christmas — in her Etsy store, Peppermint Sue’s Perfections.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elf
Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share