fairy

noun

ˈfer-ē 

plural fairies

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 

adjective

Synonyms of fairy

• elf
• faerie
• dwarf
• goblin
• pixie
• sprite

Examples of fairy in a Sentence

fairies are part of the folklore of many countries and cultures

Recent Examples on the Web

Indulge in a little whimsy with this manicure that’s fit for a garden fairy. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026

Meander through a lush, fairy-worthy tapestry of ivy and narrow pathways forged throughout the B&B's history. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

For something dreamier, A Midsummer Night’s Dream theme pairs flower garlands and fairy lights with pretty appetizers and edible floral cocktails. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026

Flower garlands, fairy lights everywhere, pretty appetizers and edible floral cocktails. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

Here’s where the story gets sprinkled with fairy dust. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 June 2026

The exhibition centers on a film created with generative AI trained on an archive that includes fairy folklore and the Victorian mania for invention. —Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026

It’s liberally dotted with the designer’s personal collection of art and antiques, but still manages to feel pared-back—as if a Scandinavian fairy came down and waved all the potential clutter away. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Everything feels more whimsical, more fairy-like, more nymph-coded, as if fashion itself is trying to mirror the romance of the natural world. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing fairy

• airy-fairy
• fairy cake
• fairy godmother
• fairy ring
• fairy shrimp
• fairy-tale
• the tooth fairy
• tooth fairy

Rhymes for fairy

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• ferry
• hairy

Kids Definition

fairy

noun

ˈfa(ə)r-ē 

ˈfe(ə)r-

plural fairies

: an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magic powers

fairy adjective

fairylike

-ē-ˌlīk 

adjective