a heroine of a fairy tale or folk tale who is maltreated by a malevolent stepmother but achieves happiness and marries a prince through the benevolent intervention of a fairy godmother.
(italics) the tale itself, the earliest version of which is in Chinese and dates from the 9th century a.d.
(italics) a ballet (1945) with musical score by Sergei Prokofiev.
a person or thing of merit, undeservedly neglected or forced into a wretched or obscure existence.
a person or thing that achieves unexpected or sudden success or recognition, especially after obscurity, neglect, or misery (often used attributively).
Which team will find themselves the Cinderella of this year’s college basketball season?
a girl who achieves fame after being obscure
a poor, neglected, or unsuccessful person or thing
( as modifier )
a Cinderella service within the NHS
(modifier) relating to dramatic success
a Cinderella story
The name Cinderella is sometimes applied to a person or group that undergoes a sudden transformation, such as an athletic team that loses frequently and then starts to win steadily.
First recorded in 1840–50; partial translation of French Cendrillon “Little Ashes,” from Charles Perrault’s Cendrillon, ou la petite pantoufle de verre “Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper” (1697)
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cinderella stories and game-deciding penalty shots have helped Americans fall in love with soccer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Nevertheless, Haaland has emerged as the rarest sort of superstar: the one who can single-handedly spark a Cinderella run.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
Led by French phenom Victor Wembanyama, they’re more of a Cinderella story; they had little chance of winning the NBA Finals at the beginning of the year, per the oddsmakers.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026
Rapunzel makes a guest appearance in the premiere episode and Moana, Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora and Elena of Avalor will all stop by over the course of the first season.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026
Mr. McGuire had just named Andrea to be the new Cinderella.
From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene
I didn’t choose “Cinderella,” or the stepsister, the story of “Cinderella” through the stepsister chose me.
From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2025
“Matilda the Musical” runs May 26-June 16 and “Cinderella” runs July 27-Aug.
From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2024
Thinking more about the film, she brought up the 1997 made-for-TV film version of “Cinderella” that featured a Black Disney princess, played by Brandy, and a Black fairy godmother, played by Whitney Houston.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
He also collaborated with his father on various musical and theatrical projects — including stage productions of “The Little Prince” and “Fat Friends,” as well as a “Cinderella” concept album.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2023
South Australia has been called the “Cinderella” of the Australian Colonies, not only because she was the youngest, but also because of the character of her constitution.
From The Chronicles of a Gay Gordon by Gordon, J. M. (Joseph Maria)
With all due respect to the heartwarming Cinderellas of this tournament, the reason we tune in every four years isn’t to witness the exploits of Cape Verde or Canada.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
The Cinderellas certainly had their moments in this March Madness.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 4, 2023
The Highlanders, Cinderellas of last postseason, were one overtime goal away from a Class 6 championship appearance.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 14, 2023
Prints used to be the Cinderellas of the art world.
From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2022
So many of the little Cinderellas don’t get half a chance with life, the stolid ones do better.
From A Modern Cinderella by Douglas, Amanda Minnie
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.
