elf

¹

[elf]

noun

plural

elves 

1. (in folklore) one of a class of preternatural beings, especially from mountainous regions, with magical powers, given to capricious and often mischievous interference in human affairs, and usually imagined to be a diminutive being in human form; sprite; fairy.

2. a diminutive person, especially a child.

3. a mischievous person, especially a child.

ELF

²

Or elf

abbreviation

Radio.

1. extremely low frequency.

elf

¹

/ ɛlf /

noun

1. (in folklore) one of a kind of legendary beings, usually characterized as small, manlike, and mischievous

2. a mischievous or whimsical child

ELF

²

abbreviation

1. extremely low frequency

Other Word Forms

• elflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elf¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, from Old English ælf, elf, ylf, akin to Old High German alp “incubus” ( Middle High German alp , German Alp “nightmare”), Old Norse álfr, Danish alf “elf” ælfen; elfin

Word History and Origins

Origin of elf¹

Old English ælf; related to Old Norse elfr elf, Middle Low German alf incubus, Latin albus white

Synonym Study

See fairy.

Example Sentences

The ELF tools — “ELF” stands for “eradicate lionfish” — also help prevent damage that traditional spear guns and nets inflict on reefs.

From New York Times

By early 2003, the leads had dried up in the ELF investigation.

From New York Times

ELF hit the jackpot with this campaign; it created a viral TikTok challenge.

From The Verge

“ELF’s compliance programme and its supplier audits failed to discover that approximately 80% of the false eyelash kits supplied by two of ELF’s China-based suppliers contained materials” from North Korea, it said.

From The Guardian

As with some of his other restaurants, this one subscribes to the mantra ELF, which stands for “energetic, loud and fun,” Keller says.

From Washington Post

When To Use

Plural word for elf

The plural form of elf is elves, pronounced [ elvz ]. The plurals of some other singular words that end -f are also formed in this way, including leaf/leaves, wife/wives, and knife/knives. A similar change is made when pluralizing hoof as hooves.Irregular plurals that are formed like elves derive directly from their original pluralization in Old English.