elfin

IPA/ˈelfɪn/
KK[ˈɛlfɪn]IPA/ˈelfɪn/

elfin — 形容詞

  • elfinpositive
  • more elfincomparative
  • most elfinsuperlative

1. having a small, slim body and delicate, pretty facial features that remind you o

1.形容詞C1
釋義

精靈般的

形容人身材嬌小、面貌精緻

having a small, slim body and delicate, pretty facial features that remind you of a fairy or elf.

例句

With her narrow shoulders and pointed chin, Noa had the elfin face of a fairy-tale character.

Noa 肩膀窄小、下巴尖尖，那張精靈般的臉龐就像是童話故事裡的人物。

collocation: elfin face

The old woman's elfin features surprised the children because she looked like someone from a magical story.

老婦人那精靈般的五官讓孩子們大吃一驚，因為她看起來像是從魔法故事裡走出來的人。

collocation: elfin features

同義詞
  • delicate

    focuses on fineness and fragility rather than fairy-like quality

  • dainty

    suggests smallness and prettiness, often of food or objects as well as people

  • petite

    describes a short, slim body without the fairy-like connotation

反義詞
  • stocky

    describes a broad, heavy build, opposite of slim and delicate

文法句型

elfin + noun (face / features / build / figure)

用法筆記

Frequently modifies nouns for physical appearance (face, features, build, figure). Contrasts with elvish, which relates more to the behaviour, language, or culture of elves in fantasy fiction.

常見錯誤

❌She has an elfin personality.
✅She has an elfin face.
💡elfin usually describes a person's physical appearance, not their character or behaviour.

2. belonging to or connected with elves in folklore, fantasy stories, or mythology.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

精靈的

與精靈有關的

belonging to or connected with elves in folklore, fantasy stories, or mythology.

例句

Olivia found an old book filled with tales of elfin kingdoms hidden inside hollow hills.

Olivia 對精靈的傳說很感興趣，她找到一本關於藏在空心山丘裡的精靈王國的書。

collocation: elfin kingdom

The elfin music in the film sounded like tiny silver bells ringing under a full moon.

電影中那精靈的音樂聽起來就像滿月下銀色小鈴鐺的響聲。

collocation: elfin music

同義詞
  • elvish

    often used for the language or culture of elves in fantasy fiction

  • fairy

    broader term covering all magical folk, not just elves

文法句型

elfin + noun (kingdom / music / craftsmen / queen)

用法筆記

This is the literal sense — it refers to elves themselves rather than describing a human's elf-like appearance. Common in fantasy and folklore contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The children had an elfin dance.' (meaning playful)
✅The children performed an elfin dance from the festival story.
💡use elfin for things that literally belong to elves, not for playful or mischievous behaviour.

3. having a strange, mysterious, or supernatural quality that suggests a world of m

3.形容詞C2
釋義

奇幻的

帶有神祕而超凡的氣息

having a strange, mysterious, or supernatural quality that suggests a world of magic and enchantment.

例句

The garden had an elfin quality at night, with tiny lights floating between the stone walls.

夜晚的花園帶有一種奇幻的氣息，微小的光點在石牆之間飄動。

collocation: elfin quality

Samir painted the forest in silver and green to capture its quiet, elfin atmosphere.

Samir 用銀色和綠色描繪那片森林，以捕捉它那寂靜而奇幻的氛圍。

collocation: elfin atmosphere

同義詞
  • magical

    broader and more common; lacks the specific elf-like otherworldliness

  • enchanted

    suggests a place affected by a spell rather than being elf-like

  • otherworldly

    emphasises strangeness and separation from ordinary reality

反義詞
  • ordinary

    lacking any magical or special quality

文法句型

elfin + noun (quality / light / atmosphere / presence)

用法筆記

Literary or poetic register. Describes places, lights, or atmospheres that feel enchanted. Not used for social events or human behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌The party had an elfin mood.
✅The forest had an elfin atmosphere at dusk.
💡elfin in this sense fits natural and magical settings, not human social occasions.