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
There are many questions left unanswered in Red One, but the most pressing has to be: Is the Rock playing an elf or not? Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 In 2023, Deschanel was Little Red Riding Hood and Scott was an elf. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024 The Orcs are going to end up being slaves of Sauron and there’s going to be war between Orcs and elves for generations to come. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2024 Or the fact that the rings were never forged for dwarves and men—as this show insists—but for elves. Erik Kain, Forbes, 20 Sep. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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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