noun
nis
noun
1
In Scandinavian folklore, a small household spirit or hobgoblin said to live on a farm.
"Farmers left out porridge to keep the nis happy."
How to Use Nis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mischievous little folklore spirit believed to live around farms in Scandinavia.
When to use it
Rare outside folklore and fantasy contexts.
Word Forms
nisses plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “nis”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Farmers left out porridge to keep the _____ happy.
Etymology
Borrowed from Danish nisse, a folklore house-spirit similar to a brownie or gnome.