Elf or elves?
Elves is the plural of an elf. Elf is singular.
I only saw one elf peeking from behind the curtain.
The king of the elves was wise and ancient.
There were many elf helping Santa Claus.
We read a story about magical elfs.
What’s the singular of elf?
The singular of elf is just elf.
What does the word “elf” mean?
The Cambridge online dictionary defines the word elf as:
An imaginary being, often like a small person with pointed ears, in popular stories.
Other irregular plural nouns (f-/-fe suffixes)
Elf belongs to the category of irregular plural nouns that end in the sibilant-sounding -f/fe. See the following chart of irregular plural nouns ending in -f/-fe, and convert to -ves as a plural (for the most part):
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| dwarf | dwarves |
| elf | elves |
| cliff | cliffs |
| thief | thieves (or thiefs) |
| roof | roofs |
| hoof | hooves (or hoofs) |
These words all share Germanic/PIE (Proto-Indo-European) origin. The Germanic origin of these irregular plurals could likely have something to do with each of these nouns converting the same from the singular case to plural.
The plural of “elf,” associate it with the word “knives”—both irregular plurals that change the -f to -ves.
Elf & elves, in sentences
| Noun: elf/elves | Example sentences |
|---|---|
| elf (singular) |
The story featured a mischievous elf who lived in the forest. Each Christmas, the family puts out a little toy elf on the mantelpiece. In the video game, my character is a magical elf with pointed ears. |
| elves (plural) |
According to the legend, the shoemaker’s work was secretly finished by helpful elves. Santa’s workshop is bustling with elves making toys for children. The fantasy world was populated by dwarves, goblins, and elves. |
Origin of elf
“One of a race of powerful supernatural beings in Germanic folklore,” Old English elf (Mercian, Kentish), ælf (Northumbrian), ylfe (plural, West Saxon) “sprite, fairy, goblin, incubus,” from Proto-Germanic *albiz.”
| Word | Similar words |
|---|---|
| elf | leprechaun, fairy , mythical creature, troll, goblin, gnome, brownie, elfin |
Practice: Forms of “Elf”
Santa’s workshop is famous for its hardworking ______.
The child dressed up as an ______ for the holiday party.
The forest was said to be inhabited by magical ______.
He was so nimble, he moved like an ______.
The folklore tells stories of ______ living deep in the woods.
FAQs
What’s the plural of elf?
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How is singular “elf” used correctly?
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What are mistakes using elf/elves?
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What does the word elf mean?
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Why is “elves” an irregular plural?
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Sources
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Definition of elf.
Yash, D. "How to Use Elf Plural (Explained, Examples & Worksheet)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/elf-plural/.
