Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

fabled

American  
[fey-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

Derived 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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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.

Fabled Southern heritage has devolved into crackpot eccentricity, but that only deepens Louise’s adoration for the holdouts who honor it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

“My Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations,” he said on Twitter at the time.

From New York Times • May 24, 2022

“My Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations,” he tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

From Washington Post • Jun. 10, 2020

Fabled Italian film star Claudia Cardinale has been the muse of such filmmakers as Luchino Visconti.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2019

Art thou that huntress of the silver bow Fabled of old?——

From Heathen Mythology by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "fabled" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com