fey

American  

[fey] / feɪ /

adjective

1. British Dialect. doomed; fated to die.

2. Chiefly Scot. appearing to be under a spell; marked by an apprehension of death, calamity, or evil.

3. supernatural; unreal; enchanted.

   elves, fairies, and other fey creatures.

4. being in unnaturally high spirits, as were formerly thought to precede death.

5. whimsical; strange; otherworldly.

   a strange child with a mysterious smile and a fey manner.

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fey British  

/ feɪ /

adjective

1. interested in or believing in the supernatural

2. attuned to the supernatural; clairvoyant; visionary

3. fated to die; doomed

4. in a state of high spirits or unusual excitement, formerly believed to presage death

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Other Word Forms

• feyness noun

Etymology

Origin of fey

before 900; Middle English; Old English fǣge doomed to die; cognate with Old Norse feigr doomed, German feig cowardly

Example Sentences

Emerging from a cult of nonpersonality, where ordinary figures with unassuming names like Ian Brown ascended to British music royalty, Brett Anderson, Suede’s fey and foppish androgyne, reintroduced theatricality and glamour to the scene.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

But she complemented the Welsh actor who "brings a furious fey playfulness and vulnerability" to his character.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2024

All three victims are Lymp’s affluent half-siblings, from whom he is estranged: Dr. Marian Harmon, West Mills’ officious Black pediatrician; her sporty younger sister Marva; and Lazarus, their fey brother.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

“I was effeminate, I was fey, I was precocious,” Stuart said.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2020

A motley group still fills the hall: glittering Seelie and terrifying Unseelie; the wild fey that seldom leave their hills, rivers, or grave mounds; goblins and hags; pixies and phookas.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Related Words

• elfin
• elfish
• fairylike