elf

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small, human-shaped creature from folklore and fantasy stories who has magic powers and is often playful or secretive.

   Grammar: Plural is elves: one elf, two elves.

   Patterns

   • an elf with something
   • elves of the forest

   In the old tale, an elf slipped into the cobbler's shop each night and finished his work.

   The children left a saucer of milk by the door in case an elf wanted a drink.

   She wore a pointed hat and green boots to the party, dressed as a woodland elf.

2. 2nouncountable

   In modern fantasy, a tall, graceful, long-lived being who is wise, skilled with the bow, and close to nature.

   Grammar: Often capitalized when it names a fictional race: the Elves of that world.

   Patterns

   • an elf archer
   • a race of elves

   The elf in the video game could shoot arrows from impossible distances.

   Our group needed a healer, so I chose to play an elf.

   The novel describes how the elves slowly left the mortal world.

3. 3nouncountable

   A helper of Santa Claus who makes toys in the North Pole workshop, or a person who plays that role.

   Grammar: Often appears with Santa or Christmas: Santa's elves.

   Patterns

   • one of Santa's elves

   My little brother asked how many elves it takes to wrap every present.

   The mall hired a teenager to dress as an elf and greet children.

Word forms

Common combinations

Santa's elf

Every December, a toy-making Santa's elf appears on our greeting cards.

woodland elf

The painting showed a woodland elf sitting on a mushroom.

dark elf

The dark elf in the story was feared for her cold magic.

elf ears

He glued on pointed elf ears for the school play.

elf on the shelf

The family moves their toy elf on the shelf to a new spot every night in December.

Synonyms and how they differ

fairy

A fairy is usually winged and delicate, while an elf is more often wingless and shaped like a person.

sprite

A sprite is a light, spirit-like creature tied to water or air, whereas an elf has a more solid, human form.

pixie

A pixie is a small, mischievous creature in English folklore, usually smaller and more prankish than an elf.

imp

An imp is a naughty little creature with a hint of evil, while an elf can be kind, wise or noble.

Word family

elves noun

the plural form

elfin adjective

small, delicate, or like an elf

elfish adjective

mischievous or elf-like

elven adjective

relating to elves, especially in fantasy writing

Commonly confused: elf or self?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “elf”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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