plural fairies
Synonyms of fairynext
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 adjective

Examples of fairy in a Sentence

fairies are part of the folklore of many countries and cultures
Recent Examples on the Web
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Hair stylist Jonathan Van Ness, counselor Karamo Brown, chef Antoni Porowski, interior designer Bobby Berk (through season 8; Jeremiah Brent takes over in season 9), and fashion expert Tan France are the fairy godparents dreams are made of. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026 AveniaVe installed a small fairy-sized door into the drywall in her daughter's room, where the Tooth Fairy leaves the little presents. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026 Hey, if Indiana can win a national championship, in part, thanks to NBA billionaire Mark Cuban playing benevolent NIL fairy godfather, then surely the DeVos family — owners of the Orlando Magic — could consider sprinkling a little of that pixie dust on UCF’s NIL program. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026 An leads the ensemble as Chang Er, a fairy maiden dwelling in the titular lunar residence with her lover Hou Yi, portrayed by Dominick Rustam. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026 Acknowledging that the debt-forgiveness fairy isn’t flittering in the wings on graduation day calls for careful assessment of college plans, dreams, and reality. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 The toy projects an AI hologram companion that resembles a dragon or fairy. Queenie Wong, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026 The farm’s shop, walking trails, lavender labyrinth, and fairy garden are open year-round. Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 30 Dec. 2025 Keep the lighting low and cosy with fairy lights or candles. Rachel Bearn, Time, 29 Dec. 2025

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fairy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairy. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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 adjective

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