Elf vs. Fairy — What's the Difference?

A representation of wisdom and ancient magic.

A being with a strong tie to nature's elements.

A creature with pointy ears and magical abilities.

A playful or mischievous entity from folklore.

A character often linked to nature and earth.

A creature often seen in European traditions.

A mythical being from Norse mythology.

A tiny magical creature with wings.

An elf (plural: elves) is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore (especially North Germanic mythology and folklore). In medieval Germanic-speaking cultures, elves generally seem to have been thought of as beings with magical powers and supernatural beauty, ambivalent towards everyday people and capable of either helping or hindering them.

A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, German, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural. Myths and stories about fairies do not have a single origin, but are rather a collection of folk beliefs from disparate sources.

A mythical creature in human form but usually smaller, often considered mischievous.

A small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers, especially a female one

A lively, mischievous child.

A Central and South American hummingbird with a green back and long tail.

A usually sprightly or mischievous or sometimes spiteful person.

An imaginary being in human form, depicted as clever, mischievous, and possessing magical powers.

(Norse mythology) A luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of Álfheim (Elfland). Compare angel, nymph, fairy.

Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a gay man.

Any from a race of mythical, supernatural beings resembling but seen as distinct from human beings. They are usually delicate-featured and skilled in magic or spellcrafting; sometimes depicted as clashing with dwarves, especially in modern fantasy literature.

The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion.

(fantasy) Any of the magical, typically forest-guarding races bearing some similarities to the Norse álfar (through Tolkien's Eldar).

A mythical being with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although often depicted in modern illustrations only as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, and revered in some modern forms of paganism.

A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.

(South Africa) The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).

A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.

To twist into elflocks (of hair); to mat.

A legendary Chinese immortal.

An imaginary supernatural being, commonly a little sprite, much like a fairy; a mythological diminutive spirit, supposed to haunt hills and wild places, and generally represented as delighting in mischievous tricks.

Like a fairy; fanciful, whimsical, delicate.

A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

Enchantment; illusion.

To entangle mischievously, as an elf might do.

The country of the fays; land of illusions.

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

An imaginary supernatural being or spirit, supposed to assume a human form (usually diminutive), either male or female, and to meddle for good or evil in the affairs of mankind; a fay. See Elf, and Demon.

Below 3 kilohertz

An enchantress.

A skilled warrior or artisan in many fantasy tales.

Of or pertaining to fairies.

Given by fairies; as, fairy money.

Small, human in form, playful, having magical powers

A representative of elemental and nature-based magic.

Elf originates from Norse mythology.

Both can be depicted as good, evil, or neutral depending on the story.

Yes, elves are typically depicted as human-sized, whereas fairies are usually tiny.

Elves are often linked to forests, hills, or earthly realms.

Traditionally, fairies are often depicted as more mischievous than elves.

Fairies are often depicted as tiny, winged beings.

While many cultures have mythical beings, the traditional concepts of elves and fairies are more prevalent in European cultures.

While many fairies are depicted with wings, not all traditions give them this feature.

This depends on the story. In some tales, they coexist peacefully, while in others, they might be at odds.

Fairies have elemental powers, like controlling water or air, and abilities like flight.

Yes, elves are often associated with ancient magic, while fairies have nature-based magic.

Yes, both male and female representations exist for both elves and fairies.

Both are popular, but their prevalence depends on the era and the specific type of literature.

In many traditions, elves are seen as long-lived or immortal beings.

In some stories, fairies have the ability to change their size.