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Meaning & use

gnome

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/nəʊm/
US/noʊm/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A small, bearded, humanlike creature from folktales who lives underground and guards hidden treasure.

    Grammar: Countable: a gnome; the gnomes of the mountain.

    Patterns

    • a gnome with a red hat

    In the tale, a gnome guarded the golden coins in the cave.

    The children dressed as gnomes with pointed hats.

    Old stories describe gnomes as shy and clever.

  2. nouncountable

    A small statue of such a figure, put in a garden as a decoration.

    Grammar: Often called a garden gnome.

    Patterns

    • a garden gnome

    He painted a garden gnome for the front lawn.

    The neighbors' gnomes watch over the flower beds.

    Someone moved my gnome to the other side of the garden.

  3. nouncountablerareliterary

    A short, wise-sounding saying that gives advice, in an older and literary use.

    Grammar: Rare; the related word gnomic is more common.

    Patterns

    • a gnome of wisdom

    The poet ended with a gnome about patience.

    Each chapter opens with a gnome from the author.

    The book is full of gnomes passed down by teachers.

Word forms

pluralgnomes

Common combinations

garden gnome
A garden gnome stood beside the pond.
gnome hat
She wore a red gnome hat at the party.
gnome village
The children built a gnome village from twigs.
mischievous gnome
A mischievous gnome hid the keys in the story.
bearded gnome
A bearded gnome appeared in the illustration.

Synonyms and how they differ

dwarf
Dwarf is a larger folktale figure of the mines and forges, while gnome is smaller and tied to the earth.
goblin
Goblin is usually ugly and mean, while a gnome is often shy or wise.
elf
Elf usually lives in woods and is slender, while a gnome lives underground.
sprite
Sprite is lighter and airy, related to water or air.

Opposites

giant

Word family

gnomish adjective
like a gnome, small and quaint
gnomic adjective
short and wise, but hard to understand
gnomon noun
the part of a sundial that casts a shadow

Commonly confused: gnome or gnomon? gnome or gnu?

gnome vs gnomon

A gnomon is the pointer on a sundial. It looks like gnome but is unrelated.

gnome vs gnu

A gnu is an African antelope. Both words start with a silent g.

Practice

What do old stories say a gnome usually does?

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