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
Noun
Back Dough is where the baking elves arrive in the predawn to do their work, making dozens of these little wheels of goodness that fill the display cases at the counter. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024 One year, the elves got their hands on an instant camera and did a photoshoot in the middle of the night. Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023 On Friday, the actress, 27, shared a festive photo of herself wearing a red strappy top and matching pants, along with a Christmassy headband featuring elf's feet. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023 In kindergarten the adults would tell her that the reason for the bog’s red-colored water was that the elves would wash their clothes in it. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024 While Santa and his elves are back at the North Pole—already working on next year’s gifts—Amazon is full to the brim with end-of-the-year leftovers for savings up to 64% off. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2023 Public Safety officers at the Medical University of South Carolina reportedly responded to the school's parking garage just after midnight to find a jolly old elf sitting on a golf cart. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 25 Dec. 2023 The film walks a fine line between fact and fiction by presenting the truth of the program without ever dispelling the fantasy of Santa Claus and his elves, making this a safe watch for anyone whose children have yet to have the fantasy ruined. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2023 Which raises the question: How did Drunk Elephant end up on Christmas lists for kids who believe Santa’s elves are scooping globs of Protini Polypeptide Cream into neon blue jars? Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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