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 majority of the antique gnomes, many imported from Germany, are found in Fairyland Caverns, nestled into fairy tale scenes. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024

Sight gags baked into the production design (the books the Gromit reads or the signs that populate the sets) and gnome puns aplenty make for a ride in which every frame packs a dense layer of comedy, at times conspicuous, others not so much. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

The evening events include music, gnome hunts, a holiday train and refreshments. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

There needed to be something motivating the gnomes, something more sinister and more personal against Wallace and Gromit. —Simon Thompson, Forbes, 24 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

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