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

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

The possibility that such a thing still exists in our divided country seems as improbable as leprechauns, mermaids or gas under $3 a gallon. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 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