fairy-tale

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfer-ē-ˌtāl 

: characteristic of or suitable to a fairy tale

especially : marked by seemingly unreal beauty, perfection, luck, or happiness

led a fairy-tale life

a store clerk's fairy-tale romance

fairy tale

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a story (as for children) involving fantastic forces and beings (such as fairies, wizards, and goblins)

enjoyed the fairy tale "The Little Mermaid"

called also fairy story

b

: a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending

… those balletic fairy tales in which a new corps member steps in for an injured principal at the last minute and delivers a splendid performance.

—Margaret Willis

2

: a made-up story usually designed to mislead

Don't fall for the fairy tale going around that offshore drilling will lessen our dependence on foreign oil …

—Reginald T. Dogan

Synonyms of fairy-tale

Noun

• lie
• tale
• story

Examples of fairy-tale in a Sentence

Noun

the fairy tale about the sleeping princess

Everything he told us about his happy marriage was just a fairy tale.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Earle’s approach, after all, is designed to transport us, to place us in lush, fairy-tale-like environments that contain an ever-so-slightly foreboding atmosphere. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

As early as the mid-1950s, eerily similar parks started appearing across America and even Canada, Europe and Australia, all using fairy-tale themes and catering to a child’s unique viewpoint. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Noun

Its lacy layers, flutter sleeves, and antique white color also lend it enough charisma to play the leading role in a fairy tale. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 11 July 2026

The plan also reads a bit like a fairy tale in which world leadership suddenly comes together, setting aside politics, personal interest, and greed for the sake of humanity. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fairy-tale

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

fairy tale

noun

1

: a simple children's story about imaginary beings

called also fairy story

2

: a made-up story usually meant to mislead