fay

[ fey ]

/ feɪ /

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noun

a fairy.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of fay

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)

Other definitions for fay (2 of 4)

fay²

[ fey ]

/ feɪ /

noun Obsolete.

faith.

Origin of fay

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English fai, fei, from Anglo-French, variant of feid faith

Other definitions for fay (3 of 4)

fay³

[ fey ]

/ feɪ /

noun Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

ofay.

Origin of fay

First recorded in 1925–30; by shortening

Other definitions for fay (4 of 4)

Fay

or Faye

[ fey ]

/ feɪ /

noun

a female given name, form of Faith.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fay in a sentence

“Go on, Bob, take another chance,” said a blonde named Faye.
Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life|Paul Hemphill|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I see no links between the TripAdvisor trend and changes in the kitchen,” Faye says.
Do Michelin Stars Still Matter?|Brandon Presser|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Arnaud Faye, who spent four years under the tutelage of Bertron at Relais Bernard Loiseau, has a similar outlook.
Do Michelin Stars Still Matter?|Brandon Presser|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just ask Dr. Faye—the sexy post-coital smoking is just clearly not worth the emotional trauma.
Every Woman Don Draper’s Hooked Up With on ‘Mad Men’|Amy Zimmerman|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Faye and Don date pretty seriously, and he even tells her about his stolen identity.
Every Woman Don Draper’s Hooked Up With on ‘Mad Men’|Amy Zimmerman|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Coligny had been resting his army at Faye, a small town about midway between Chinon and Chtellerault.
History of the Rise of the Huguenots|Henry Baird
The history of Andreas Faye serves as the basis of this work.
The International Magazine, Vol. IV. New-York, December 1, 1851. No. V.|Various
M. Faye, comparing all the measurements, has reached a result well calculated to surprise us.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar
More recently, however, a still greater acceleration has been found in the case of Faye's comet.
Meteoric astronomy:|Daniel Kirkwood
M. du Faye, intendant of the French king's gardens, made a number of experiments, which added not a little to the science.
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 1 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin

British Dictionary definitions for fay (1 of 3)

fay¹

/ (feɪ) /

noun

a fairy or sprite

adjective

of or resembling a fay

informal pretentious or precious

Word Origin for fay

C14: from Old French feie, ultimately from Latin fātum fate

British Dictionary definitions for fay (2 of 3)

fay²

/ (feɪ) /

verb

to fit or be fitted closely or tightly

Word Origin for fay

Old English fēgan to join; related to Old High German fuogen, Latin pangere to fasten

British Dictionary definitions for fay (3 of 3)

fay³

/ (feɪ) /

noun

an obsolete word for faith

Word Origin for fay

C13: from Anglo-French feid; see faith

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

fay

Origin of fay

Other definitions for fay (2 of 4)

Origin of fay

Other definitions for fay (3 of 4)

Origin of fay

Other definitions for fay (4 of 4)

or Faye

Words related to fay

How to use fay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fay (1 of 3)

Word Origin for fay

British Dictionary definitions for fay (2 of 3)

Word Origin for fay

British Dictionary definitions for fay (3 of 3)

Word Origin for fay