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Definition of fairy

fairy

/ˈfɛr.i/
fair · y
Plural:fairies
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fairy Lexical Profile

fairy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mythical being of folklore and romance, typically depicted as a tiny humanoid with wings and magical powers.

Example

"The children built a tiny house out of twigs and moss, hoping a fairy would move into the garden."

2

(Offensive) A disparaging slang term used to describe an effeminate or homosexual man.

Example

"The author strongly criticized the historical use of words like fairy as outdated and harmful."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for fairy

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'fairy' primarily refers to a magical creature in folklore, it carries a significant register trap as it is also used as a highly offensive and derogatory slur against gay men.

• Rhymes for fairy

• Nearby Words

fairness
fairway
fairweather
fairy
fairy duster
fairy falls
fairy slipper

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'faerie' (illusion, magic, the realm of the fays), derived from 'fae' (fay) and the suffix '-erie', ultimately originating from Latin 'fata' (the Fates).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fairy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fairy
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