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Fabian

1 American  
[fey-bee-uhn] / ˈfeɪ bi ən /

adjective

  1. seeking victory by delay and harassment rather than by a decisive battle as in the manner of Fabius Maximus.

    Fabian policy.

  2. of or relating to the Fabian Society.


noun

  1. a member of or sympathizer with the Fabian Society.

Fabian 2 American  
[fey-bee-uhn] / ˈfeɪ bi ən /

noun

  1. Saint, died a.d. 250, pope 236–250.

  2. a male given name.


Fabian British  
/ ˈfeɪbɪən /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or resembling the delaying tactics of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus; cautious; circumspect

"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

noun

  1. a member of or sympathizer with the Fabian Society

"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

Etymology

Origin of Fabian

First recorded in 1590–1600, Fabian is from the Latin word Fabiānus

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.

Another local, 25-year-old office worker Edina Fabian, said she and her partner are trying to conserve what they can gather from water carts.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

The five-member panel is currently down two members, after one commissioner, Fabian Garcia, went on paternal leave and another, Teresa Sánchez-Gordon, recently resigned.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Anything less than three points for Brighton at Leeds would see Fabian Hurzeler's side drop out of contention, while Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth need at least a point against Manchester City to stay in the hunt.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

"We're showing that life does not only produce molecules," said Fabian Klenner, UC Riverside assistant professor of planetary sciences and co-author of the study.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

But Fabian doesn’t give a pig’s nose about my business or what I’m saying.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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