elfin

adjective

ˈel-fən How to pronounce elfin (audio)
Definition of elfinnext
as in charismatic
having an often mysterious or magical power to attract the heroine in the story has an elfin beauty that men find irresistible

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elfin Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025 Numerous species are commercially available, from the culinary classic common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) to colorful flowering groundcovers such as elfin thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and creeping thyme (Thymus praecox). — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025 In a series of illustrated stories, Lung describes the Labubu as an elfin creature. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 The look is elfin, but less shaggy than an elfish cut, often pulled off with a mod, micro-cut bang instead. — Essence, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elfin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elfin
  1. charismatic
  2. charming
  3. appealing
  4. attractive
  5. enchanting
  6. seductive
Adjective
  • So much so that a charismatic friend (Holly Sabiston) in Austin, Texas, put me in touch with another friend of hers, Laura Dunn, who was making a documentary film about Wendell and his vision.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Based on its trailer, Wild Horse Nine, which premieres in competition on September 3, seems to find McDonagh back in his sweet spot, helming a pitch-black comedy about two charismatic men wrestling with their dark pasts.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of charismatic
Adjective
  • The neighborhood Located on the Bodrum peninsula, Türkbükü is a charming seaside village, just 15 minutes away by car and out of earshot from Bodrum’s bustling centre.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Among the house’s charming features were a wraparound porch, a custom library, and an attic converted into a bedroom for their daughter, Chelsea, who turned one year old during the Clinton family’s two-year residency at the house.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of charming
Adjective
  • Clean windows bring more light into a home and make the view more appealing.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • South Korea created a system that catches things early, making a Seoul wellness trip highly appealing for international visitors.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of appealing
Adjective
  • But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Those figures could make efficiency retrofits attractive as marine fuel costs and emissions requirements rise.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Adjective
  • Frances is a young writer navigating the labyrinth of adulthood and her narration is close and touching, and to this author, entirely enchanting.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The enchanting look was fitting for a free-spirited witch lounging around her candlelit home sanctuary, as Kidman’s character Gillian might do.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of enchanting
Adjective
  • While well-known for a number of onscreen roles, including Wadsworth in Clue, Curry is most associated with playing the mad, seductive scientist in the 1975 Rocky Horror film.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Chocolate may have seductive ingredients like fat and sugar, but the chocolate bar doesn’t change its recipe based on who is eating it.
    — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of seductive

Browse Nearby Words

elf
elfin
elfish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elfin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elfin. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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