Gnome vs. Dwarf — What's the Difference?

Folkloric figure associated with gardening and earth-related activities.

Mythical figure often portrayed as a skilled craftsman and miner.

Small, magical being believed to inhabit the earth and protect its treasures.

A character in folklore and fantasy known for their short stature and strength.

Mythological being depicted as a bearded, earthy guardian.

Short and robust figure with a knack for forging and crafting.

Mythical creature linked to nature, often seen with a red hat and a white beard.

(in folklore or fantasy literature) a member of a mythical race of short, stocky humanlike creatures who are generally skilled in mining and metalworking.

A gnome is a mythological creature and diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature. Its characteristics have been reinterpreted to suit the needs of various story tellers, but it is typically said to be a small humanoid that lives underground.Diminutive statues of gnomes introduced as lawn ornaments during the 19th century grew in popularity during the 20th century and came to be known as garden gnomes.

A star of relatively small size and low luminosity, including the majority of main sequence stars.

One of a fabled race of dwarflike creatures who live underground and guard treasure hoards.

Cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison

In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has earth as its element.

A person with a usually genetic disorder resulting in atypically short stature and often disproportionate limbs.

A pithy saying that expresses a general truth or fundamental principle; an aphorism.

An atypically small animal or plant.

A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.

A small creature resembling a human, often having magical powers, appearing in legends and fairy tales.

An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.

A dwarf star.

One of a race of imaginary human-like beings, usually depicted as short and typically bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc.; in modern fantasy literature and games, when distinguished from dwarves, gnomes are usually even smaller than dwarves and more focussed on engineering than mining.

To check the natural growth or development of; stunt

A person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.

To cause to appear small by comparison

The northern pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma, a small owl of the western United States.

To become stunted or grow smaller.

A small statue of a dwarf-like character, often bearded, placed in a garden.

(mythology) Any member of a race of beings from (especially Scandinavian and other Germanic) folklore, usually depicted as having some sort of supernatural powers and being skilled in crafting and metalworking, often as short with long beards, and sometimes as clashing with elves.

An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.

A person of short stature, often one whose limbs are disproportionately small in relation to the body as compared with typical adults, usually as the result of a genetic condition.

A banker, especially a secretive international one.

An animal, plant or other thing much smaller than the usual of its sort.

An imaginary being, supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardian of mines, quarries, etc.

(star) A star of relatively small size.

A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.

Miniature.

A small owl (Glaucidium gnoma) of the Western United States.

(transitive) To render (much) smaller, turn into a dwarf (version).

A brief reflection or maxim.

(transitive) To make appear (much) smaller, puny, tiny.

A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

(transitive) To make appear insignificant.

A short pithy saying expressing a general truth

(intransitive) To become (much) smaller.

A tiny, humanoid creature with a connection to the natural world.

To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.

An animal or plant which is much below the ordinary size of its species or kind.

A diminutive human being, small in stature due to a pathological condition which causes a distortion of the proportions of body parts to each other, such as the limbs, torso, and head. A person of unusually small height who has normal body proportions is usually called a midget.

A small, usually misshapen person, typically a man, who may have magical powers; mythical dwarves were often depicted as living underground in caves.

To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.

To become small; to diminish in size.

A person who is abnormally small

A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

Make appear small by comparison;

Check the growth of;

Mythological being typically associated with underground dwellings.

A mythical creature with distinctive features and a penchant for metals and gems.

Yes, both gnomes and dwarfs can have female counterparts in some folklore.

No, they can be both good and mischievous characters, depending on the story.

No, gnomes and dwarfs are primarily creatures of myth and legend, not part of real-world cultural beliefs.

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien features dwarfs prominently, and gnomes appear in various fantasy novels.

Yes, they appear in books, movies, video games, and other forms of entertainment.

They can appear together in some folktales, but they are distinct mythical beings.

In various stories, gnomes and dwarfs may possess magical abilities, such as earth manipulation or enchanting objects.

Gnome statues are sometimes placed in gardens for decoration, but this is a modern tradition rather than a historical one.

Yes, various cultures have their own interpretations of these creatures, leading to diverse characteristics and stories.

In folklore, they are often associated with particular skills, such as metalwork for dwarfs or plant-related abilities for gnomes.

Yes, dwarfs are common in Norse mythology, while gnomes are prevalent in European folklore.

Gnomes are often depicted as friendly and earthy, while dwarfs are known for their craftsmanship and determination.

Yes, in many stories, they interact with humans and play important roles in the plot.

In some tales, they are portrayed as long-lived or even immortal beings.

Yes, variations of these mythical beings can be found in the folklore of many cultures around the globe.