elfish

American  

[el-fish] / ˈɛl fɪʃ /

adjective

1. elflike; elfin; small and mischievous.

   Synonyms:

   impish, prankish

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elfish British  

/ ˈɛlfɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or like an elf or elves; charmingly mischievous or sprightly; impish

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noun

1. the supposed language of elves

Other Word Forms

• elfishly adverb
• elfishness noun

Etymology

Origin of elfish

First recorded in 1535–45; alteration of elvish

Example Sentences

He appears elfish and shy as he approaches his instrument.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2025

For example, he deleted descriptions of him as “an elfish boy” who speaks “defiantly” to Wendy and tries to be “more contemptuous than ever”.

From The Guardian • Dec. 15, 2019

He was only a couple years younger than me, but his round face, milky skin, and elfish features made him look like a teenager.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2019

Their latest exploit begins with a lost child: Maggie, a small, elfish blonde, “the type of missing kid the news media actually notices.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2017

“But I do,” said a defiant voice with an elfish accent.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin