# hobbit

/ˈhɑbɪt/ (US) · /hˈɒbɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hobbit
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a small, human-like creature with hairy feet that lives in a hole in the ground. They are famous for being quiet, liking food, and living in stories by J.R.R. Tolkien.

For teachers: a member of an imaginary race of small, human-like beings with hairy feet and a preference for domestic comfort. Originally a literary creation, the term is now used metaphorically to describe someone of small stature or unassuming nature.

## Examples

- The hobbit lived in a cozy hole under the hill.
- In the film, the hobbit must leave his comfortable home to go on a dangerous adventure across the mountains.
- The author's portrayal of the hobbit as a creature of simple pleasures serves as a deliberate contrast to the grand, often tragic heroism of the taller races in the epic.

## Usage notes

- Capitalised in its specific literary sense; often lowercase when used as a general descriptive term in modern slang.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.