gnome

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnōm 

: maxim, aphorism

gnome

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: an ageless and often deformed dwarf of folklore who lives in the earth and usually guards treasure

2

: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhabits earth

gnomelike

ˈnōm-ˌlīk 

adjective

gnomish

ˈnō-mish 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• brownie
• dwarf
• elf
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• fay
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• kobold
• leprechaun
• pixie
• pixy
• puck
• sprite
• troll

Examples of gnome in a Sentence

Noun (2)

in Europe, gnomes are thought to guard underground treasure, so that may be why statues of them are commonly placed in gardens

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the beginning of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the machine architect, eager to sell the benefits of technology to Gromit, creates a robotic garden gnome programmed to lend the reserved pooch a helping hand. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2024

These range wildly in mood and form, from uncovering the killer in a murder mystery to freeing a gnome who’s been tied up to a windmill blade. —Reid McCarter, WIRED, 4 Sep. 2023

Each drawer includes fancy chocolates or sweet treats like peppermint candy cane gnomes and peanut butter bonbons. —Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 18 Oct. 2024

In their new big screen appearance, Wallace and Gromit’s friendship is put to the test by the former’s invention of a smart gnome called Norbot, who takes on a life of his own, wreaking havoc in the process. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know — more at know

Noun (2)

French, from New Latin gnomus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1563, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gnome

noun

ˈnōm

: a small manlike creature of folklore living inside the earth and guarding precious ore or treasure

gnomish

ˈnō-mish

adjective