fay 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of faynext
as in playful
given to good-natured joking or teasing with her slight build and perky manner, the actress was usually cast as the fay young woman who charms all the men in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fay

2 of 2

noun

as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers in the tale a fay appears in the form of a beautiful and serene woman with an angelic air and a billowy gown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fay
Noun
The series stars McGregor as Count Rostov, a fay member of Czarist Russia’s ruling class, who was living in comfort in his estates until the revolution of 1917 overthrew the old order. — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Almshouse dwellers, sitting in the sun, watching the surging tide and the glistening water, tell of spirits and banshees and fays. — Alexander Sammon, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fay
  1. playful
  2. fairy
  3. merry
  4. elf
  5. faerie
  6. goblin
  7. dwarf
Adjective
  • Among them was Chromeo, whose sleek, playful funk sound traveled through the city’s indie and electronic scenes.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
  • These glasses have plenty of personality with playful prints, unexpected motifs, and fun patterns.
    — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of playful
Noun
  • In this case, that’s Haddad’s uncle Charlie (played by a bubbling Jonathan Raviv), who is technically his father’s first cousin, but is also — crucially and non-derogatorily — very much a fairy.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But it should be based on tax projections, not procrastination or faith in the retirement account fairy.
    — Ronald Stair, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of fairy
Adjective
  • The friendly staff, who wear black uniforms with lettering that identifies their duties add to the hotel’s merry atmosphere.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This is a place where adults make the pilgrimage to the legendary Pinto Ron and Pizza Pete tailgate spot in the Hammer Lot where Pinto Ron's team of merry pranksters pour shots of liquor into a bowling ball finger hole.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of merry
Noun
  • Guests to The Elf Experience will meet one of Santa’s helpers before entering Papa Elf’s storybook and heading to the North Pole to learn about the life of an elf.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In the dark comedy Bad Santa, Thornton plays Willie, a miserable, heavy-drinking con man who dresses up as Santa with his elf sidekick (Tony Cox) to rob department stores on Christmas Eve.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • Maeve learns that the legends she was raised on — stories of faeries, kelpies and seelies — are actually true.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
  • The plays are set in locations as varied as courts, forests, battlefields, and even the realm of faerie.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of faerie
Noun
  • The magical ring that helped Bilbo escape the goblins had become an instrument of addiction and mass political control.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Two years ago, the Man City phenom appeared in a 90-second spot for the game that saw him get recruited to storm a castle teeming with goblins, dragons and impish skeletons.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of goblin
Noun
  • But in space, dwarfs might be better called Hungry, according to a pair of studies published Monday in Nature Astronomy.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This led to the observation of 47 dwarf galaxies, of which only four had previously been discovered.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of dwarf

Browse Nearby Words

fawns
fay
fays
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Cite this Entry

“Fay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fay. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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