Elves are magical human-like beings that appear in folklore, mythology, and fantasy stories from many cultures, especially Northern Europe. In old Norse and Germanic legends, elves were mysterious creatures with supernatural powers who lived in forests and mountains. They might help humans or cause mischief, depending on their mood and how people treated them.

Today, when most people think of elves, they picture the versions from modern fantasy stories: graceful, pointy-eared beings who are skilled archers, craftspeople, and magic users. J.R.R. Tolkien's famous books transformed how we imagine elves, portraying them as wise, immortal beings who speak elegant languages and create beautiful art. His elves, like Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, are noble warriors and guardians of nature.

Different stories imagine elves differently. Santa's elves are cheerful toy-makers in his North Pole workshop. The elves in some video games and fantasy books can be mischievous tricksters. In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, fairy-like elves play pranks on humans in the forest.

The singular form is elf. Someone might describe a person with delicate features as elfin or say they have an elf-like quality. When something seems magical and otherworldly, we might call it elven.