fay

verb

\ ˈfā

How to pronounce fay (audio)

\

fayed; faying; fays

Definition of fay

(Entry 1 of 5)

: to fit or join closely or tightly

fay

noun (1)

Definition of fay (Entry 2 of 5)

obsolete

: faith

fay

noun (2)

Definition of fay (Entry 3 of 5)

: fairy, elf

fay

adjective

Definition of fay (Entry 4 of 5)

: resembling an elf

fay

noun (3)

Definition of fay (Entry 5 of 5)

slang, usually disparaging

: ofay

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fay

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of fay in a Sentence

Adjective

with her slight build and perky manner, the actress was usually cast as the fay young woman who charms all the men in town

First Known Use of fay

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1927, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fay

Verb

Middle English feien, from Old English fēgan; akin to Old High German fuogen to fit, Latin pangere to fasten — more at pact

Noun (1)

Middle English fai, fei, from Anglo-French feid, fei — more at faith

Noun (2)

Middle English faie, from Anglo-French fee — more at fairy

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about fay

Dictionary Entries near fay

Statistics for fay

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for fay

The first known use of fay was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

WORD OF THE DAY

redaction

an act or instance of editing or removing

Test Your Vocabulary

What's that Smell?! Quiz

Someone who is hircine smells like a:

goat dog
horse frog

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ