elfin

adjective

elf·in ˈel-fən

Synonyms of elfin

: of, relating to, or produced by an elf

: resembling an elf especially in its tiny size

elfin portions

: having an otherworldly or magical quality or charm

Examples of elfin in a Sentence

They were delighted with the child's elfin charm. the heroine in the story has an elfin beauty that men find irresistible

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This frog, with its long fingers and large red eyes, was found perched on tree branches in an elfin forest. — Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 The look is elfin, but less shaggy than an elfish cut, often pulled off with a mod, micro-cut bang instead. — Essence, 21 Apr. 2025 That effort also brought back the rare frosted elfin butterfly for the first time in decades. — Diana Stralberg, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025 Olah is a boyish, elfin prodigy who, at nineteen, met Amodei on his first visit to the Bay Area. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elfin

Word History

Etymology

irregular from elf

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of elfin was in 1590

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

El Ferrol

elfin

elfinwood

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Elfin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elfin. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

elfin

adjective

elf·in ˈel-fən

: of or relating to elves

: resembling an elf

especially : having a strange beauty or charm

elfin

adjective

Synonyms of elfin

Examples of elfin in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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