fairy tale

American  

[fair-ee teyl] / ˈfɛər i ˌteɪl /

noun

1. a story, usually for children, about elves, hobgoblins, dragons, fairies, or other magical creatures.

2. an incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief.

   His story of being a millionaire is just a fairy tale.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or suggesting a fairy tale.

   a fairy-tale castle.

2. idealized or romantic, often to an unrealistic extent.

   Many people still want to believe in true love and fairy-tale endings.

fairy-tale ¹ British  

adjective

1. of or relating to a fairy tale

2. resembling a fairy tale, esp in being extremely happy or fortunate

   a true story with a fairy-tale ending

3. highly improbable

   he came out with a fairy-tale account of his achievements

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fairy tale ² British  

noun

1. a story about fairies or other mythical or magical beings, esp one of traditional origin told to children

2. a highly improbable account

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Etymology

Origin of fairy tale

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

“It was a nightmare that came right after the fairy tale,” Johnson said.

From Washington Post

Think of every female-centered fairy tale, makeover show and sitcom in which a skittish librarian type finally ditches her glasses and lets her hair down.

From Salon

Meanwhile, he adroitly intertwines the eerie fairy tale with early-20th-century historical realism.

From Washington Post

It writes academic essays and fairy tales, tells jokes, explains scientific concepts and composes and debugs computer code.

From Scientific American

The show has now debuted on Broadway as “Bad Cinderella,” serving as a modernized adaptation of the classic fairy tale.

From Seattle Times