gnome

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnōm 

: maxim, aphorism

gnome

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: an ageless and often deformed dwarf of folklore who lives in the earth and usually guards treasure

2

: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhabits earth

gnomelike

ˈnōm-ˌlīk 

adjective

gnomish

ˈnō-mish 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• brownie
• dwarf
• elf
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• fay
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• kobold
• leprechaun
• pixie
• pixy
• puck
• sprite
• troll

Examples of gnome in a Sentence

Noun (2)

in Europe, gnomes are thought to guard underground treasure, so that may be why statues of them are commonly placed in gardens

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This photograph documents a garden gnome owned by a drug dealer. —Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

The gnome incarnates its human creator’s desires and dreams as well as Wallace’s follies. —Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

In a nod to the dangers of AI, the feature will see Wallace and Gromit’s friendship put to the test by the former’s invention of a smart gnome called Norbot, who takes on a life of his own, wreaking havoc in the process. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2024

The most visually arresting set was the Cellar Cauldron, where Gromit spies a team of smart gnomes secretly building something in the shadows. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know — more at know

Noun (2)

French, from New Latin gnomus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1563, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gnome

noun

ˈnōm

: a small manlike creature of folklore living inside the earth and guarding precious ore or treasure

gnomish

ˈnō-mish

adjective