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Synonyms

fabled

American  
[fay-buhld] / ˈfeɪ bəld /

adjective

  1. celebrated in fables.

    a fabled goddess of the wood.

  2. having no real existence; fictitious.

    a fabled chest of gold.


fabled British  
/ ˈfeɪbəld /

adjective

  1. made famous in fable

  2. fictitious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of fabled

First recorded in 1730–40; fable + -ed 3


Explanation

Something that's fabled is very well-known through stories or word-of-mouth, especially for its excellence or rarity. It's worth planning an all-day visit to a museum with a fabled art collection. Some fabled things are legendary by virtue of having actual legends, fables, or myths mention them. You might read about the fabled Greek gods, for example. Other things or people are fabled because you've heard them mentioned in conversation — their reputation proceeds them, like your dad's fabled chocolate chip cookies. Coined around 1600, fabled first meant "invented" or "unreal," from the Latin root fabula, "story."

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Vocabulary lists containing fabled

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.

See Examples For:

The result is Australia's fabled foursome now have 607 wickets in Tests in which they have played as a quartet.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

The meeting at Burnham's Downing Street office and residence came after the leaders celebrated bilateral ties with King Charles III at a preview of the fabled Bayeux Tapestry in London on Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Weinstock’s experience is a sign of thriving times for London’s fabled theater district.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Davis championed a new generation of rock at Columbia Records in the late 1960s before shepherding a slate of stars across R&B, hip-hop, country and pop starting with his own fabled Arista Records.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Then, in 2008, the Canadian government’s archaeological organization Parks Canada began to search for the two fabled ships.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

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