What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elfish
Example
The elfish grin on his face gave away his mischievous intentions. [elfish: adjective]
Example
She had an elfish charm that made everyone around her smile. [elfish: adjective]
mischievous
Example
The mischievous puppy chewed up my shoes again. [mischievous: adjective]
Example
He had a mischievous glint in his eye as he played a prank on his friend. [mischievous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mischievous is more commonly used than elfish in everyday language. Mischievous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while elfish is less common and may be considered more literary or poetic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elfish and mischievous?
Both elfish and mischievous are informal words, but elfish may be considered more formal due to its less common usage and association with fantasy or fairy tales.
