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 |
| shelf | shelves |
| thief | thieves (or thiefs) |
| wharf | wharves |
| hoof | hooves |
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” in sentence examples
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.
Elves in context (in sentences)
The following sentences show the correct use of the plural noun, elves in sentences:
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.)
Origin of elf
From etymology online on elf (n.):
“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.”
Synonyms of elf
- leprechaun
- fairy
- mythical creature
- troll
- goblin
- gnome
- brownie
- elfin
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Work Sheet
According to the post, what is the correct plural form of the word “elf”?
Which sentence correctly uses the plural form of “elf”?
Which word from the list provided in the post follows the same irregular plural pattern as “elf” (changing -f to -ves)?
Based on the post, what is the singular form of “elves”?
According to the post’s usage notes, which sentence demonstrates a common error in using the word “elf” or “elves”?
I only saw one peeking from behind the curtain.
Many department stores feature a Santa as well as a host of .
Put the book back on the top .
The story featured singing dwarves, dancing hobbits, and .
With his small frame, he’d always reminded her of an of some sort.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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Yash, D. "What’s the Plural of Elf?." Grammarflex, Jun 6, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-plural-of-elf/.
Sources
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Definition of elf.
