little people

[ lit-l pee-puhl ]

plural noun

1. (in folklore) small, imaginary beings, as elves, fairies, or leprechauns.
2. the common people, especially workers, small merchants, or the like, who lead conventional, presumably unremarkable lives.

little people

plural noun

1. folklore small supernatural beings, such as elves, pixies, or leprechauns

Word History and Origins

Origin of little people¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

And none of that really matters in the end because they grow up to be their own little people.

From The Daily Beast

Today, little people continue to be used for entertainment in ways that draw condemnation around the world.

From The Daily Beast

Initiate a dialogue about how we are all kind of like little people, if you think about it, at least compared to the One Percent.

From The Daily Beast

MGM had set up a little restaurant strictly for the little people.

From The Daily Beast

“There are all these little people causing problems, and we are trying to stop them,” Halawany said.

From The Daily Beast

He was continually presenting innumerable imaginary fivers to little people.

From Project Gutenberg

But before steamboats and great mills were on the streams, the Little People were there.

From Project Gutenberg

Morning Star called to the Little People and begged them not to let all the fish go.

From Project Gutenberg

She put out her hand to take them from the Little People,—and not a fish, nor a Jo gah oh was to be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon a band of strange Little People gathered about her, to comfort her.

From Project Gutenberg