leprechaun

[ lep-ruh-kawn, -kon ]

noun

, Irish Folklore.

1. a dwarf or sprite.
2. a conventionalized literary representation of this figure as a little old man who will reveal the location of a hidden crock of gold to anyone who catches him.

leprechaun

/ ˈlɛprəˌkɔːn /

noun

1. (in Irish folklore) a mischievous elf, often believed to have a treasure hoard

Word History and Origins

Origin of leprechaun¹

1595–1605; < Irish leipreachán, lucharachán, MIr luchrapán, lupra ( c ) cán, metathesized forms of Old Irish lúchorp ( án ), equivalent to lú- small + corp body (< Latin corpus ) + -án diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of leprechaun¹

C17: from Irish Gaelic leipreachān, from Middle Irish lūchorpān, from lū small + corp body, from Latin corpus body

Example Sentences

The computer graphics are monotone overlaid in Lucky Charms leprechaun green.

From The Daily Beast

Colin Farrell was originally set for the foul-mouth leprechaun played by Butler, but dropped out.

From The Daily Beast

Entertainment Weekly named this 2003 movie, the sixth in the Leprechaun series, one of the 25 Worst Sequels Ever Made.

From The Daily Beast

Just now he was being a sly leprechaun, if one can imagine a double-chinned, three-hundred pound leprechaun.

From Project Gutenberg

He told us that he was a Leprechaun (male), but that in a ruined fort near us dwelt the Pixies.

From Project Gutenberg

"More, perhaps, than you imagine—cares and anxieties," said the leprechaun.

From Project Gutenberg

"And what a life-time," observed the leprechaun, reproachfully.

From Project Gutenberg

To my first intention; that is, to illustrate the position in Fairydom of the Leprechaun.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fairy
• gnome
• pixie