fairy

noun

ˈfer-ē How to pronounce fairy (audio)
plural fairies
Synonyms of fairy
1
: a mythical being of folklore and romance usually having diminutive human form and magic powers
2
slang, offensive : a gay person
—used as a term of abuse and disparagement
fairy adjective
fairylike
ˈfer-ē-ˌlīk How to pronounce fairy (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of fairy

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Examples of fairy in a Sentence

fairies are part of the folklore of many countries and cultures
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The countless repetitions give you the most beautiful art form where swans glide, fairies dance and every year a giant nutcracker appears. — Chrissie Leong, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Would the scary girls with fairy wings still be hanging around a trust-fund junkie with a tank of nitrous? — Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 Garden gnomes, fairy lights, and other whimsical outdoor garden decor add all three to your otherwise boring backyard. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2026 In her Tinker Bell costume, Ashley seems as thirsty for a peach as Shamea is, reveling in the opportunity to tell her side of the story but obviously sprinkling her own fairy dust of exaggeration into the narrative. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fairy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fairye, feyrye "enchantment, realm of mythical beings with magic powers, such beings collectively, an individual being," borrowed from Anglo-French faerie "witchcraft, enchantment" (also continental Old French) from fee, faie "such a being" (going back to Late Latin Fāta, one of the Fates, feminine derivative of Latin fātum fate entry 1) + -rie -ry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fairy was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing fairy

Rhymes for fairy

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Browse Nearby Words

fair white
fairy
fairy arrow
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Cite this Entry

“Fairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairy. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fairy

noun
ˈfa(ə)r-ē How to pronounce fairy (audio)
ˈfe(ə)r-
plural fairies
: an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magic powers
fairy adjective
fairylike
-ē-ˌlīk How to pronounce fairy (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on fairy

Nglish: Translation of fairy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fairy

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