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bedtime story

American  

noun

  • bedtime stories
    plural
  1. a story told to a child at bedtime.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of bedtime story

First recorded in 1885–90

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:

A spokesperson for Garbarino did not confirm the bedtime story in a statement, offering that he “briefly stepped out and inadvertently missed the vote.”

From Salon ● May 22, 2025

“Dog Man” feels like a bedtime story made up by a dad, then rendered in a sweetly kiddie aesthetic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2025

Oscar-winning actor Oldman has recorded a special CBeebies bedtime story for the show.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2024

The Professor of English language and literature at Merton College originally created it as a bedtime story for his children.

From BBC ● May 20, 2024

Piper needed a miracle, not a bedtime story.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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