plural elves
ˈelvz 
1
: a small often mischievous fairy
2
: a small lively creature
also
: a usually lively mischievous or malicious person
elfishly
adverb
extremely low frequency
Synonyms
Examples of elf in a Sentence
Noun
elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Recent Examples on the Web
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024
Twenty-three percent of witchcraft accusations against Scots between 1563 and 1736 involved fairies and elves.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Also, Santa Claus and his elf will provide candy canes and bookmarks to attendees and be available for photos.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Ree posted a video of her family dancing in front of a Christmas tree, all wearing matching green-and-yellow elf pajamas, complete with coordinating green hats.
—Ana Calderone, Peoplemag, 27 Dec. 2023
Back Dough is where the baking elves arrive in the predawn to do their work, making dozens of these little wheels of goodness that fill the display cases at the counter.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024
One year, the elves got their hands on an instant camera and did a photoshoot in the middle of the night.
—Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023
On Friday, the actress, 27, shared a festive photo of herself wearing a red strappy top and matching pants, along with a Christmassy headband featuring elf's feet.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023
In kindergarten the adults would tell her that the reason for the bog’s red-colored water was that the elves would wash their clothes in it.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024
Noun
Colorful characters such as fairies, elves, pixies and the whimsical Japanese raccoon dog have evolved to explain the secretive and magical realm where mushrooms are found.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024
Twenty-three percent of witchcraft accusations against Scots between 1563 and 1736 involved fairies and elves.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Also, Santa Claus and his elf will provide candy canes and bookmarks to attendees and be available for photos.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Ree posted a video of her family dancing in front of a Christmas tree, all wearing matching green-and-yellow elf pajamas, complete with coordinating green hats.
—Ana Calderone, Peoplemag, 27 Dec. 2023
Back Dough is where the baking elves arrive in the predawn to do their work, making dozens of these little wheels of goodness that fill the display cases at the counter.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024
One year, the elves got their hands on an instant camera and did a photoshoot in the middle of the night.
—Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023
On Friday, the actress, 27, shared a festive photo of herself wearing a red strappy top and matching pants, along with a Christmassy headband featuring elf's feet.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023
In kindergarten the adults would tell her that the reason for the bog’s red-colored water was that the elves would wash their clothes in it.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Elf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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