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

The gnome is the slowest, but took a shortcut through the forest. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

This allowed the audience the treat of two bumbling acceptance speeches from the endearing Nick Park, and the sight of three grown men carrying toy models of Wallace, Gromit, and a gnome to the podium twice. —Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025

This excellent family comedy sees Wallace invent a robot gnome (named Norbot) to help Gromit with duties around the house, but the villainous Feathers McGraw hacks the android and chaos ensues. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025

First, advent calendars; then gnomes; then the tree; and then Christmas itself. —Andrew Solomon, New York Times, 15 Dec. 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

Rhymes for gnome

• brome
• chrome
• comb
• combe
• crome
• dome
• foam
• holm
• loam
• roam
• tome
• acrosome

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