fairy godmother

American  

[fair-ee god-muhth-er] / ˈfɛər i ˈgɒdˌmʌð ər /

noun

fairy godmothers plural

1. a kindly sponsor or guardian; godmother.

2. a fairy-tale character who uses magical powers to help a hero or heroine.

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fairy godmother British  

noun

1. a character in certain fairy stories who brings unexpected benefits to the hero or heroine

2. any benefactress, esp an unknown one

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fairy godmother Idioms  

1. A generous benefactor, as in An anonymous fairy godmother donated the money for the new organ. This expression alludes to a stock character in fairy tales such as Cinderella, who gives unexpected and much needed assistance. [Late 1800s]

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fairy godmothers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fairy godmother

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fairy godmother

I think of the character Jonny as this amazing, queer, fairy godmother.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

Performing at the ceremony, organisers wanted Emily to descend from the rafters, playing Nothing Matters' guitar solo "like the fairy godmother who comes down in a bubble" in David Lynch's Wild At Heart.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2025

If your greatest wish is for McDonald’s to offer a Luther Burger, your fairy godmother has good news.

From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2024

Who doesn’t love a fairy godmother who can make a few calls to reduce your problems if not make them entirely vanish?

From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2024

I think it’s Oprah, but that’s just me because I’ve always imagined she’s my fairy godmother and one day she’ll come to my house saying, “You get a car!”

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas