leprechaun

[ lep-ruh-kawn, -kon ]

noun

, Irish Folklore.

1. a dwarf or sprite.
2. a conventionalized literary representation of this figure as a little old man who will reveal the location of a hidden crock of gold to anyone who catches him.

leprechaun

/ ˈlɛprəˌkɔːn /

noun

1. (in Irish folklore) a mischievous elf, often believed to have a treasure hoard

Word History and Origins

Origin of leprechaun¹

1595–1605; < Irish leipreachán, lucharachán, MIr luchrapán, lupra ( c ) cán, metathesized forms of Old Irish lúchorp ( án ), equivalent to lú- small + corp body (< Latin corpus ) + -án diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of leprechaun¹

C17: from Irish Gaelic leipreachān, from Middle Irish lūchorpān, from lū small + corp body, from Latin corpus body

Example Sentences

Most Americans are familiar with the Snap, Crackle and Pop kids, Tony the Tiger, the Lucky Charms leprechaun, the Trix rabbit, Toucan Sam from Froot Loops and dozens more.

From Salon

As a testament to her range, she recently played a vampiric leprechaun in the latest season of “American Horror Story” and will next star in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great,” as an elderly woman who forms an unlikely bond with a 19-year-old girl after she moves to New York.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite Hollywood’s obsession with youth, Squibb is encouraged by the variety of roles she‘s being offered, which go well beyond the stereotypical grandmotherly type. “Eleanor is very different from Thelma, and God knows they’re both different from the leprechaun,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

There have been some interesting moments in his returns to Boston; he’s been routinely booed and had a water bottle thrown at him, while he’s been fined for making an obscene gesture and raised ire by stomping on the Celtics’ leprechaun logo at midcourt following a Brooklyn playoff win there.

From Seattle Times

There’s probably a little leprechaun one for St. Patrick’s Day.

From Slate

Related Words

• fairy
• gnome
• pixie