elves

American  

[elvz] / ɛlvz /

noun

1. plural of elf.

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elves British  

/ ɛlvz /

noun

1. the plural of elf

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elves Cultural  

1. Often small, mischievous creatures thought to have magical powers. Although some elves are friendly to humans, others are spiteful and destructive. Elves have long been a staple of folklore, from Germanic mythology to J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, in which the elves speak a special language called Elvish.

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Example Sentences

Elves, hired to usher children through grottos, typically earn less, but have seen a slight bump in average pay compared to last year.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

"I actually sat down and shed a tear at the colour of the water," Mr Elves said.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Technically they are Scout Elves, and theoretically their job is to watch over children and report back on naughty or nice behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

Italians — like hobbits and Elves and Dwarves — are unique and should protect against anything that threatens their identity, she suggests.

From Salon • Feb. 16, 2023

In the morning, as they were beginning to pack their slender goods, Elves that could speak their tongue came to them and brought them many gifts of food and clothing for the journey.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien