fay
noun
a fairy.
fay
1 American
[fey]
/ feɪ /
noun
fay
2
American
[fey]
/ feɪ /
noun
Obsolete.
fay
3
American
[fey]
/ feɪ /
noun
Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
Fay
4
American
[fey]
/ feɪ /
Or
Faye
noun
fay
1
British
/ feɪ /
noun
adjective
-
of or resembling a fay
-
informal pretentious or precious
fay
2
British
/ feɪ /
verb
fay
3
British
/ feɪ /
noun
Etymology
Origin of fay1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English faie, faie, from Middle French feie, fee, Old French fae, fee, ultimately from Latin Fāta Fate ( def. 6 )
Origin of fay2
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English fai, fei, from Anglo-French, variant of feid faith
Origin of fay3
First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening
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.
In a statement Lyric's executive producer Jimmy Fay paid tribute to Campbell, saying: "These islands have lost a great artist, and the sky is brighter tonight with his star."
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Fay, whose name The 19th has changed to protect her identity over fears for her safety, didn’t waver.
From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026
Fay Siu, who leads the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, offered emotional support to families at the mortuary, where she said the atmosphere was "miserable and bleak".
From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025
Fay said Cameron invited her to the UK but she didn't take up the offer.
From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025
Not many people, but there was a blonde with long hair who reminded me of Fay.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
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.
