fairy tale

[ fair-ee teyl ]

noun

1. a story, usually for children, about elves, hobgoblins, dragons, fairies, or other magical creatures.
2. an incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief:

   His story of being a millionaire is just a fairy tale.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or suggesting a fairy tale:

   a fairy-tale castle.

2. idealized or romantic, often to an unrealistic extent:

   Many people still want to believe in true love and fairy-tale endings.

fairy tale

¹

noun

1. a story about fairies or other mythical or magical beings, esp one of traditional origin told to children
2. a highly improbable account

fairy-tale

²

adjective

1. of or relating to a fairy tale
2. resembling a fairy tale, esp in being extremely happy or fortunate

   a true story with a fairy-tale ending

3. highly improbable

   he came out with a fairy-tale account of his achievements

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairy tale¹

First recorded in 1740–50