Definition

Noun: 1. A benevolent magical female figure in fairy tales: A character, often depicted with magical powers, who appears to provide crucial help, guidance, or gifts to the protagonist, especially in times of need. 2. A generous and helpful benefactor: A person, typically a woman, who provides unexpected or much-needed help, support, or resources.

Usage Examples

• In the story, Cinderella's fairy godmother transformed a pumpkin into a coach.
• After years of struggling, a fairy godmother in the form of a wealthy investor saved the small theater company.
• She acted as a fairy godmother to the young artist, providing both a studio and an introduction to gallery owners.

Advanced Usage

• To play fairy godmother: To act as a generous benefactor who solves a problem magically or unexpectedly.
  • The anonymous donor played fairy godmother to the library, funding its complete renovation.

Variants and Related Words

• Benefactor (n): A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.
• Patron (n): A person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause.
• Guardian angel (n): A spirit who is believed to protect and guide a particular person; (figuratively) a protective or beneficent person.

Synonyms

• Benefactress
• Patroness
• Guardian angel (figurative)
• Good Samaritan

Idioms and Common Phrases

• A fairy-godmother ending: An ending to a story or situation where a problem is resolved through sudden, unexpected, and benevolent external intervention.
  • The startup's success wasn't a fairy-godmother ending; it was the result of years of hard work.

Noun

1. a female character in some fairy stories who has magical powers and can bring unexpected good fortune to the hero or heroine
2. a generous benefactor