elf
gb/ˈɛlf/ us/ˈɛlf/
A2
English
~ 9200
elf, manó, tünde, kis manó
NOUN
A2
1
In the game you can choose to play as an elf, a dwarf, or a human.
A játékban választhatsz, hogy elfként, törpeként vagy emberként játszol.
The children loved the story about the elf who lived inside a hollow tree.
A gyerekek imádták a történetet a manóról, aki egy odvas fában lakott.
She dressed up as a Christmas elf for the holiday party.
According to the legend, an ancient elf guards the forest.
The movie shows tall, elegant elves fighting with bows and arrows.
Learner examples
The boy thinks an elf lives in his garden.
A fiú azt hiszi, hogy egy manó él a kertjében.
Many people draw Santa with many elves in his workshop.
Sokan úgy rajzolják a Mikulást, hogy sok manó dolgozik a műhelyében.
In this book, the main hero is an elf.
The little girl wears an elf hat at Christmas.
I saw a picture of an elf with very long ears.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes form the plural incorrectly as *elfs* instead of *elves*. The correct plural is *elves*. They may also confuse *elf* with *dwarf*; in many fantasy stories, elves are usually thinner and more elegant, while dwarfs are shorter and heavier.
Meaning
small magical humanlike creature
Collocations
Santa's elves
|a Christmas elf
|fantasy elf
|an elf with pointy ears
|an elf character
|an elf costume
Synonyms
fairy (Often used for small magical beings too, but usually suggests wings and a more delicate or childlike image than many fantasy elves.)
Antonyms
human (Humans are normal, non-magical people, in contrast to elves, who are magical beings in stories.)
Themes
fantasy
|mythology
|holidays
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small or thin magic person from stories, usually with pointed ears, like in fantasy books or Santa’s helpers at Christmas.
A small or slender humanlike supernatural being, usually with pointed ears and magical powers, found in modern fantasy stories and in images of Santa’s helpers at Christmas.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
kis manó
A2
Her youngest is a real little elf, always hiding people’s shoes and laughing about it.
A legkisebb gyereke igazi kis manó: folyton eldugja mások cipőjét, aztán nevet rajta.
The boy, a quick silver-haired elf of six, darted between the tables.
A fiú, egy fürge, ezüsthajú, hatéves kis manó, az asztalok között cikázott.
She danced across the stage like a tiny elf, light and full of energy.
He looks like an elf beside his tall older brothers.
That elf of a child somehow climbed all the way onto the roof.
Learner examples
My son is a little elf; he always plays tricks.
A fiam igazi kis manó; mindig csínyeket követ el.
The girl is like an elf, small but very fast.
A lány olyan, mint egy kis manó: apró, de nagyon gyors.
He called his younger sister an elf because she is tiny and full of energy.
The teacher smiled and said, "You are an elf today," when the child ran around the class.
She moved like an elf, quick and quiet.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a figurative use. It does not mean the person is really a magical creature; it only compares their size or playful behavior to an elf.
Meaning
small lively or mischievous person
Collocations
a little elf
|a tiny elf
|a mischievous elf
|a cheeky little elf
Synonyms
imp (Also suggests a small, naughty person, but can sound a bit more old-fashioned or literary than *elf* used this way.)
Antonyms
giant (Emphasizes someone very big or heavy, the opposite of the small, light image suggested by calling someone an elf.)
Themes
personality
|appearance
|daily_life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small, active person, often a child, who seems playful or naughty in a cute way, like an elf in a story.
A person, especially a child, who is small, lively, or playfully mischievous, described as if they were an elf.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elf
IPA
GB/ˈɛlf/
US/ˈɛlf/
Syllables & stress
elf (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (elf)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: elf
- Plural: elves
Word family
Forms
elves
noun
Related words
elfin
adjective
Advanced or less common
elvish
adjective
elven
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.