fairy

[ fair-ee ]

noun

fae plural: fairies or

1. (in folklore) one of a class of supernatural beings, generally conceived as having a diminutive human form and possessing magical powers with which they intervene in human affairs.

   Synonyms: leprechaun, pixie

2. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.

adjective

1. of or relating to fairies:

   fairy magic.

2. of the nature of a fairy; fairylike.
3. fairy green.

fairy

/ ˈfɛərɪ /

noun

1. an imaginary supernatural being, usually represented in diminutive human form and characterized as clever, playful, and having magical powers
2. slang.
   a male homosexual
3. away with the fairies informal.
   out of touch with reality

adjective

1. of or relating to a fairy or fairies
2. resembling a fairy or fairies, esp in being enchanted or delicate

Derived Forms

• ˈfairy-ˌlike, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairy¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English faierie, fairie, from Old French: literally, “enchantment, fairyland, fairy folk”; fay ¹, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairy¹

C14: from Old French faerie fairyland, from feie fairy, from Latin Fāta the Fates; see fate , fay ¹

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with fairy , also see tooth fairy .

Synonym Study

Fairy, brownie, elf, sprite are terms for imaginary beings usually less than human size, thought to be helpful or harmful to people. Fairy is the most general name for such beings: a good fairy as a godmother; misadventures caused by an evil fairy. Fairy is also used interchangeably with faerie and sometimes has the plural form fae. While both fairy and faerie have been in use since the 14th or 15th century, the -ae- spelling is resurgent in fantasy writing, and the plural fae is now sometimes used as a singular: the player character is the only one who can permanently kill a fae. Modern fae are often conceived as being larger than traditional folklore fairies, and can have either kind or malicious intentions. A brownie, by contrast, is a good-natured tiny being who appears usually at night to do household tasks: Perhaps the brownies will come and mow the lawn tonight. Elf suggests a young, mischievous or roguish fairy: That child is a perfect little elf. Sprite suggests a fairy of pleasing appearance, older than an elf, to be admired for ease and lightness of movement; it may, however, be impish or even hostile: a dainty sprite.

Example Sentences

“She has managed to create a unique world, somewhere between fairy tale and science fiction,” said Christine Macel, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

From New York Times

The post called her death a "fairy tale" and used antisemitic tropes.

From BBC

Anybody with a passing familiarity with fairy tales knows that wishes can come true, but usually at a price.

From New York Times

Over time, Patinkin, 71, built a formidable resume with originating roles in Broadway’s “Evita” and “Sunday in the Park With George,” as well as career-defining parts in Barbra Streisand’s Oscar-winning classic “Yentl” and Rob Reiner’s witty fairy tale “The Princess Bride.”

From Los Angeles Times

"It's very much like a fairy tale for me," says Andrew Gray, who's seen the film seven times, including a special screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre and another in his neighbourhood cinema in Connecticut where he's lived for the last 30 years.

From BBC

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• imp
• leprechaun