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
Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
The scene dispelled the popular image of the singer as a mindless, erotic elf and cemented her status as someone not to mess with, someone willing to draw a little blood.
—Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Walmart employees and shoppers said elf checkout was responsible for a stealing surge.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024
Sky was styled in red and white striped pants, a long-sleeve green top with a festive graphic of an elf uniform and a green and red hat.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023
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
Noun
Who but a Christmas elf would wear bright red and green?
—Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
The scene dispelled the popular image of the singer as a mindless, erotic elf and cemented her status as someone not to mess with, someone willing to draw a little blood.
—Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Walmart employees and shoppers said elf checkout was responsible for a stealing surge.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024
Sky was styled in red and white striped pants, a long-sleeve green top with a festive graphic of an elf uniform and a green and red hat.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023
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
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 2 May. 2024.
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