leprechaun

/ˈlɛprekɑn/

/ˈlɛprɪkɔn/

Other forms: leprechauns

A leprechaun is a character in Irish folklore, a small fairy or sprite who wears green and has a sly sense of humor.

A leprechaun is typically described as a short old man with a beard, usually wearing a green coat and hat. In Celtic or Irish mythology, leprechauns are shoemakers who store gold coins at the ends of rainbows and love practical jokes. The root of the word leprechaun is the Irish leipreachán, which comes from the Old Irish luchorpan, literally "a very small body."

Definitions of leprechaun

1. noun

   a mischievous elf in Irish folklore
   type of:

   brownie, elf, gremlin, hob, imp, pixie, pixy

   (folklore) a small fairy-like creature that is somewhat mischievous