What’s the Plural of Elf?

November 20, 2022

Is there an elf on your shelf? If there were more than one, there are elves on your shelf (or shelves, if you have more than one shelf, too).

Dalia Y

Started Grammarflex(ing) in 2022—been a word nerd and writing enthusiast ever since. (BA, MA in phil).

Contents

Elf or elves?

Elves is the plural of an elf. Elf is singular.

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What’s the singular of elf?

The singular of elf is just elf.

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What does the word “elf” mean?

The Cambridge online dictionary defines the word elf as:

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An imaginary being, often like a small person with pointed ears, in popular stories.

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Other irregular plural nouns (f-/-fe suffixes)

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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
shelf	shelves
thief	thieves (or thiefs)
wharf	wharves
hoof	hooves

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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.

“Elf” in sentence examples

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1. With his small frame and bright eyes, he’d always reminded her of an elf of some sort.

2. Never had the fortune to see an elf, myself!

3. The skirt is finished in an elf hem with jingle bell trim.

4. Infant elf costumes typically come in bunting styles.

5. This feature allows players to create completely unique Human or Elf characters.

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Elves in context (in sentences)

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The following sentences show the correct use of the plural noun, elves in sentences:

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1. He had no opinion about elves or candy canes.

2. Elves wear red and green outfits and have pointy ears.

3. A group of half Vampires, led by Valdemar, has united the Dark Elves into a large imposing force.

4. Many department stores that feature a Santa often have a Mrs. Claus as well as a host of elves.

5. Based on the classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Hobbit Play” will feature 44 M.V. Charter School students … there will be singing dwarves, dancing hobbits, and elves, along with other characters—Gollum, trolls, goblins, and even a dragon. ( The M.V. Times (Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.), 10 May 2019.)

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Origin of elf

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From etymology online on elf (n.):

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“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.”

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