fay

¹

[ fey ]

noun

1. a fairy.

fay

²

[ fey ]

noun

, Obsolete.

1. faith.

fay

³

[ fey ]

noun

, Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. ofay.

Fay

⁴

or Faye

[ fey ]

noun

1. a female given name, form of Faith.

fay

¹

/ feɪ /

noun

1. an obsolete word for faith

fay

²

/ feɪ /

noun

1. a fairy or sprite

adjective

1. of or resembling a fay
2. informal.
   pretentious or precious

fay

³

/ feɪ /

verb

1. to fit or be fitted closely or tightly

Word History and Origins

Origin of fay¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English faie, faie, from Middle French feie, fee, Old French fae, fee, ultimately from Latin Fāta Fate ( def 6 )

Origin of fay²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English fai, fei, from Anglo-French, variant of feid faith

Origin of fay³

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of fay¹

C13: from Anglo-French feid ; see faith

Origin of fay²

C14: from Old French feie , ultimately from Latin fātum fate

Origin of fay³

Old English fēgan to join; related to Old High German fuogen , Latin pangere to fasten

Example Sentences

The territory affected fay the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 included parts of what are currently known as the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

From Literature

The police presence inside Dodger Stadium on opening fay was alarming.

From Los Angeles Times

She wondered if it was some kind of fay.

From Literature

The show didn’t represent him to judge him, or to criticize the way that he lives his life, or the choices he makes or how loud and fay or outrageous his wardrobe is that week.

From Los Angeles Times

The current had him in its teeth fay then, spinning him around and around.

From Literature

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• imp
• leprechaun