leprechaun

noun

lep·​re·​chaun ˈle-prə-ˌkän 

-ˌkȯn

: a mischievous elf (see elf sense 1) of Irish folklore usually believed to reveal the hiding place of treasure if caught

leprechaunish

ˈle-prə-ˌkä-nish 

-ˌkȯ-

adjective

Synonyms

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

Examples of leprechaun in a Sentence

the story that if you follow a rainbow to its end, you'll find a leprechaun's pot of gold

Recent Examples on the Web

American Indians believed in supernatural beings — forest dwellers — who lived in caves, not unlike the Irish leprechauns. —Diane Owens Prettyman, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Mar. 2024

Party like a leprechaun, see a 90s’ cult classic in theaters again, gain a deeper understanding of sports, go ice skating, attend a country music queen’s concert, discuss the cases of the World’s Greatest Literary Detective, or honor our nation’s heroes. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024

Though most people do believe in angels, fairies and leprechauns are not in the same category. —Diane Owens Prettyman, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Mar. 2024

In her 20s at the time, Aniston stars as a young woman living in a house haunted by an evil leprechaun. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Irish leipreachán

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

leprechaun

noun

lep·​re·​chaun ˈlep-rə-ˌkän 

-ˌkȯn

: a mischievous elf of Irish folklore that some believe will reveal where treasure is hidden if caught