fairy
Americannoun
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(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
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Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.
adjective
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of or relating to fairies.
fairy magic.
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of the nature of a fairy; fairylike.
noun
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an imaginary supernatural being, usually represented in diminutive human form and characterized as clever, playful, and having magical powers
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slang a male homosexual
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informal out of touch with reality
adjective
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of or relating to a fairy or fairies
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resembling a fairy or fairies, esp in being enchanted or delicate
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of fairy
First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English faierie, fairie, from Old French: literally, “enchantment, fairyland, fairy folk”; see origin at fay 1, -ery
Explanation
A fairy is a mythical, magical creature. Most fairies in stories are described as looking like tiny humans with wings. Fairies show up in fables, myths, and fairy tales, usually as kind and lovely creatures with magical powers, although sometimes fairies are mischievous or even spiteful. In the folklore of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, a fairy was actually a malicious spirit. The earliest spelling was faerie, which meant both "the home of supernatural creatures" and "something incredible or fictitious," from the Latin fata, "the Fates."
Vocabulary lists containing fairy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the January 20, 2026, print edition as 'Indiana Completes Fairy Tale Season'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
When the toy magically comes to life, he defends Clara from the Mouse King and takes her on the journey of her dreams through the colorful land of sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy rules.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025
Expect familiar Bluey games such as “Keepy Uppy,” as well as life-size renditions of the Gnome Village and Fairy Garden.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025
Authorities suspect Cheryl, who had emigrated from Bristol with her family, was abducted from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong in January 1970.
From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025
“Collected Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen,” she read aloud.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
