Poll: What is the plural of 'dwarf'?

What is the plural of 'dwarf'?

Dwarfs
Dwarves
Either could be used.

Votes: 1499
Comments: 12
Added: October 2006

Comments:

Patsey - 11th July 2007 21:49
I prefer "dwarfs". That is the correct grammar! Tolkien enthusuasts prefer "dwarves"
 
Charlotte - 9th October 2007 20:12
i think that "dwarfves" is correct NOT dwarfs isis uncorrect english
 
sarah - 11th October 2007 17:28
really? we're going to listen to the comments of one who uses the term "uncorrect english"?
 
DANIEL OCHS - 21st March 2008 16:00
It is "Snow White and the seven DWARVES". But when referring to real life "little people" they prefer the word DWARFS.
 
Dan - 18th November 2008 12:55
No, it is 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Tolkien used 'Dwarves' to differentiate his 'dwarf' race from the likes of snow White's companions.
 
Yohann - 28th February 2009 14:59
Actually, the real plural is "dwarfs" but Tolkien, the Lord Of the Ring's writter use "dwarves" and precises that the historical plural is "dwarrows". But I think either could be used.
 
jodi - 4th October 2009 19:06
According to the New World Encyclopedia the correct historical plural is Dwarrow. In common language either dwarfs or dwarves is acceptable
 
Ste Passant - 22nd October 2010 18:12
Dwarves does seem the more 'eloquent' form; Dwarfs seems clumsier somehow.
Has now got me wondering about Smurves now though. Surely a group of small blue people are Smurfs?
 
laina spradling - 7th December 2010 21:30
I think any one could work. They are both right so why sweat choosing the right answer
 
vivecosse - 8th December 2010 15:06
For those referencing Tolkein, here is his own definition taken from the Author's Note in The Hobbit:
"In English the only correct plural of dwarf is dwarfs, and the adjective is dwarfish. In this story dwarves and dwarvish are used, but only when speaking of the ancient people to whom Thorin Oakenshield and his companions belonged."
 
vivecosse - 8th December 2010 15:09
Embarrassed! I managed to misspell Tolkien!!!
 
Esther - 15th June 2011 23:02
Yes, an his colleague CS Lewis preferred "dwarfs"
 
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