gnome
1[ nohm ]
/ noʊm /
Save This Word!
noun
(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.
an expert in monetary or financial affairs; international banker or financier: the gnomes of Zurich.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of gnome
1OTHER WORDS FROM gnome
gnomish, adjectiveOther definitions for gnome (2 of 2)
gnome2
[ nohm, noh-mee ]
/ noʊm, ˈnoʊ mi /
noun
a short, pithy expression of a general truth; aphorism.
Origin of gnome
2First recorded in 1570–80, gnome is from the Greek word gnṓmē judgment, opinion, purpose
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use gnome in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gnome (1 of 2)
gnome1
/ (nəʊm) /
noun
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
the statue of a gnome, esp in a garden
a very small or ugly person
facetious, or derogatory an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich)
Derived forms of gnome
gnomish, adjectiveWord Origin for gnome
C18: from French, from New Latin gnomus, coined by Paracelsus, of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for gnome (2 of 2)
gnome2
/ (nəʊm) /
noun
a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle
Word Origin for gnome
C16: from Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012