Definition of ELF

elf

Plural: elfs, elves

Noun

  • A small, supernatural being, often mischievous and with pointed ears.
  • (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
  • below 3 kilohertz
  • A supernatural being or spirit associated with illness, mischief, and harmful or dangerous magical influence; in later Norse sources, sometimes divided into benevolent light elves (inhabiting Álfheimr) and malevolent dark elves.
  • A small, magical creature similar to a fairy, often mischievous, playful, or occasionally helpful.
  • A member of a race of tall, slender, graceful beings with pointed ears, typically immortal or very long-lived and possessing wisdom and magical abilities.
  • A very diminutive person; a dwarf.
  • The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).

Verb

  • To twist into elflocks (of hair); to mat.

Examples

  • He swore an ELF must have switched his tiles, as his rack was full of only vowels.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English elf, from Old English ielf, ælf, from Proto-West Germanic *albi, from Proto-Germanic *albiz. Ultimately probably derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂elbʰós (“white”). Doublet of alf, awf, and oaf. The modern fantasy literature sense was popularised by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Synonyms

brownie, extremely low frequency, gremlin, hob, imp, pixie, pixy, fairy, goblin

Scrabble Score: 6

elf: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
elf: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
elf: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

elf: valid Words With Friends Word