Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

ELF

noun [U] (LANGUAGE)
 
 
/ˌiː.elˈef/

Definition

abbreviation for English as a lingua franca: the type of English used by speakers of other languages as a way of communicating among themselves
(Definition of ELF noun (LANGUAGE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“ELF” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

rain on sb's parade

to do something that spoils someone's plans

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More