ELFISH Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

elfish

adjective

Definition of elfish

as in playful

given to good-natured joking or teasing an elfish comedian who often played lovable drunks and wisecracking sidekicks

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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 elfish Santa’s elves are generous souls, not elfish. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025 But showing a recent visitor his awards, Shannon, who at 75 has a shock of snowy hair and an elfish grin, seemed almost embarrassed. — John Horgan, IEEE Spectrum, 27 Apr. 2016

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elfish

playful

Adjective

For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The world went in, and pliant, playful interpretations flowed out.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of playful

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elfin

elfish

elicit

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“Elfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elfish. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of elfish

adjective

Example Sentences

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