DictionarybrownieHousehold spirit
noun

brownie

A helpful household spirit in folklore.

A brownie secretly tidies the farmhouse in the old folktale.

Etymology

The name means a little brown being. Folklore describes the spirit as brown in appearance or dress, giving this helpful household figure its familiar name.

More examples

  • The story's brownie helped the family at night.
  • A bowl of cream thanked the helpful brownie.
  • The children imagined brownies living behind the kitchen wall.

Forms

brownie · brownies

Similar words

sprite
A broader magical spirit without the household-helper role.
elf
An elf need not be a household helper in folklore.