(in folklore) one of a class of preternatural beings, especially from mountainous regions, with magical powers, given to capricious and often mischievous interference in human affairs, and usually imagined to be a diminutive being in human form; sprite; fairy.
a diminutive person, especially a child.
a mischievous person, especially a child.
(in folklore) one of a kind of legendary beings, usually characterized as small, manlike, and mischievous
a mischievous or whimsical child
Plural word for elf The plural form of elf is elves, pronounced [ elvz ]. The plurals of some other singular words that end -f are also formed in this way, including leaf/leaves, wife/wives, and knife/knives. A similar change is made when pluralizing hoof as hooves. Irregular plurals that are formed like elves derive directly from their original pluralization in Old English.
See fairy.
First recorded before 1000; Middle English, from Old English ælf, elf, ylf, akin to Old High German alp “incubus” ( Middle High German alp , German Alp “nightmare”), Old Norse álfr, Danish alf “elf” ælfen; see elfin
An elf is a mythological creature that's said to be tiny, magical, and a little mischievous. Elves are not just known for giving Santa a hand. In fact, ancient Anglo-Saxon medical books ascribed some illnesses to elves. Old English texts often blamed elves for sharp pains and mental disturbances — they were said to cause illness with sharp weapons, such as arrows. The folklore and myths of Scotland, Iceland, and Germany are particularly famous for the inclusion of elves. An elf's tiny size has also led to the use of elfin or elf-like to describe a small person's features: "His little elfin nose was so cute."
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
How could it be that the elf in a button-down shirt now looked like someone’s cool bisexual cousin!
From Slate ● Oct. 3, 2026
Sharon Osbourne’s son, Jack, was scrolling online last November when he came across a website selling a Christmas elf with the face of his father, Ozzy Osbourne.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
As the sun went down and a phone notification warned of more rain, the women, donning elf aprons and Santa hats, scrambled to move the boxes under cover.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2025
“We’re in an elf rally, but we’re on our way to a Santa Claus rally,” said Chris Hyzy of Bank of America Private Bank during an interview Wednesday with CNBC.
From Barron's ● Dec. 4, 2025
Werfel felt like he should say something nice so that Spurge would feel better about himself, but that didn’t really make sense, seeing as the elf had been trying to spy on Werfel’s people.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
Beauty’s ELF -3.66%decrease; red down pointing triangle guidance for the year disappointed Wall Street.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
Beauty ELF -0.39%decrease; red down pointing triangle tanked after the beauty company issued guidance for the year below Wall Street’s expectations, as uncertainty swirls around the American consumer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2025
So the federal government went to work pursuing ELF members with alacrity, heaping sentence-lengthening terrorism enhancements on members to the point that, by 2006, the group basically ceased to exist.
From Slate ● Jun. 22, 2025
ELF cells would eventually spread all over the country, but the Eugene group was the first and easily the most prolific.
From New York Times ● May 26, 2022
"Out of eleven wells," says gentle Dulness, "EILF or ELF QUELLEN, whence its name, Elbe for ELF."
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 15 by Thomas Carlyle
According to Domnauer, approximately 90% of those experiencing the visions describe figures resembling elves, clowns, or other fairy-like characters, often wearing brightly colored clothing.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026
More than 25,000 people attend the annual SantaCon event in New York City, dressed up as Santa Claus, elves and other holiday characters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
“They are literally magical elves and they make this happen.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025
The family only realised there had been a mix-up when he appeared with classmates dressed as elves, Jade said.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025
“We’re so tiny in here! The elves can fit inside a shoe!”
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
