Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

elf

/ɛlf/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.65 in modern English

Syllables
elf
IPA
/ɛlf/
6
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

Obsolete

verb

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

Archaic

noun

Acronym of Executable and Linking Format, a common object file format for Unix.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *albʰósder. Proto-Germanic *albiz Proto-West Germanic *albi Old English ielf Middle English elf English elf 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.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: elf, ielf, *albi, *albiz, *h₂elbʰós

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce elf?
The recorded pronunciation is /ɛlf/.
What does elf mean?
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.
Where does elf come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce elf

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “elf”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɛlf/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “elf”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “elf” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.