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
Two plush spiders were placed beside an elf hanging upside down from the white material. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024 There were boy and girl elves there, Bengali and Arab and Polish and Black elves among them, a group as varied as the line outside. John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 22 Dec. 2024 Sports fans in the UK can technically start their Sunday with some NBA at a time when only Santa’s hard-working elves should be awake, limbering up for the marathon ahead. Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 So, just like Santa’s elves working together to pull off the greatest gift delivery, teamwork in the classroom works wonders too. Maja Zelihic, Forbes, 21 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 6 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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