are short, stocky humanoid creatures found in Norse mythology as well as other Germanic mythologies, & fairy tales.

The plural form dwarfs has been traced to the 17th century. The alternative plural dwarves has been recorded in the early 18th century, but was not generally accepted until used by philologist J. R. R. Tolkien in his fantasy novel The Hobbit.

In mythology, Dwarves are much like humans, but generally prefer to live underground and/or in mountainous areas. Some literature and games ascribe to dwarves the ability to see in the dark and other adaptations for living underground. Here they have accumulated treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, and pass their time in fabricating costly weapons and armor. They are famed miners and smiths although, like humans, they specialise in any number of trades. Generally shorter than humans, they are on average stockier and hairier, usually sporting full beards. Though slow runners and poor riders, dwarves are said to be excellent warriors and defenders of their strongholds. Some myths and games also ascribe to dwarves the ability to forge magical items. In Norse mythology, for instance, dwarvish smiths created some of the greatest and most powerful items of power, including the magic chain Gleipnir that bound the wolf, Fenris as well as Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor.

Dwarves are generally described as being about 3 to 4 feet tall, big-headed, and bearded. Nidavellir is the land of the dwarves in Norse mythology. Some dwarves of mythology and fairy tales include: Rumpelstiltskin, the dwarves from Snow White, Dvalin, Lit, Fjalar and Galar, Alvis, Eitri, Brokkr, Hreidmar, Alfrik, Berling, Grer, Fafnir, Otr, Regin (rarely given as Mimir), Andvari (or Alberich).

In Northumbria, dwarves are often called Duergar or Dwergar. The most famous example of these Northumbrian dwarves are the The Dwarves of Simonside. The word 'Duergar is similar to the Norse word Dvergar, meaning dwarves.

Dwarves seem to have developed from a belief in spirits of the earth. Like the elves, which are connected to nature and fertility, the dwarves are given their own worldly association. In mythology, real objects or places are frequently appointed their own spirits; this is a result of the animistic beliefs in human culture. Gnomes is another example of the connection between real and spiritual ideas. In Norse Mythology, vættir are an over-arching description of spirits of nature, and dwarves fill a part of this. From the dwarves' association with the earth, and the remarkable complexity of Germanic Mythology, dwarves have become connected to other associations with the earth, such as minerals and mining. The idea of a race of creatures that organizes and provides the minerals under the ground was easy for a religious and theistic culture to believe, and the creation of supernatural explanations for mysterious events is universal in mythology.

It's worth noting that the original dwarves had no connotation of shortness, and were human-height creatures associated with the depths of the earth.