gnome

¹ American  

[nohm] / noʊm /

noun

1. (in folklore) one of a species of diminutive beings, usually described as shriveled little old men, that inhabit the interior of the earth and act as guardians of its treasures; troll.

2. an expert in monetary or financial affairs; international banker or financier.

   the gnomes of Zurich.

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gnome ² American  

[nohm, noh-mee] / noʊm, ˈnoʊ mi /

noun

1. a short, pithy expression of a general truth; aphorism.

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gnome ¹ British  

/ nəʊm /

noun

1. one of a species of legendary creatures, usually resembling small misshapen old men, said to live in the depths of the earth and guard buried treasure

2. the statue of a gnome, esp in a garden

3. a very small or ugly person

4. facetious an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich )

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gnome ² British  

/ nəʊm /

noun

1. a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle

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Related Words

See goblin, sylph.

Other Word Forms

• gnomish adjective

Etymology

Origin of gnome¹

1705–15; from French from New Latin gnomus, perhaps from Greek gnṓmē; gnome ²

Origin of gnome²

First recorded in 1570–80, gnome is from the Greek word gnṓmē judgment, opinion, purpose

Example Sentences

His marching orders came straight from his wife, which is why that gnome won’t go up on eBay—at not least for now.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Jack Gray, Scott’s 25-year-old nephew, had a much more tangible reason for his gnome hunt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Goodman: I took a garden gnome from the kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

"The gnome himself was visibly startled," police said, referring to the gnome having its hands covering its mouth.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2024

They looked just like rabbit holes, but supposedly gnome holes all led to a large underground cavern where they kept hoards of food.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Related Words

• fairy