fairy-tale

A child reads a fairy-tale book before bed.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A traditional story of magic and fantasy: "fairy-tale" refers to a type of folk story involving magical beings, enchantments, and often moral lessons, intended for children or adults.
   • An improbable or fabricated story: "fairy-tale" also means a narrative that is exaggerated, unbelievable, or intentionally deceptive.
   • A remarkable or unlikely event: In informal use, "fairy-tale" can describe an extraordinary occurrence, such as a sudden stroke of luck or a "fairy-tale ending."

2. Adjective:

   • Resembling a fairy-tale in quality: Used to describe something that is idyllic, magical, or excessively perfect, often in a romanticized or unrealistic way.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She read a classic fairy-tale to her daughter before bed. (A traditional story of magic and fantasy.)
  • His explanation was a complete fairy-tale; no one believed him. (An improbable or fabricated story.)
  • Their romance had a fairy-tale beginning, meeting by chance in Paris. (A remarkable or unlikely event.)

• Adjective:

  • They bought a fairy-tale cottage in the countryside. (A house that looks idyllic and charming.)
  • She lived a fairy-tale life, with wealth and happiness at every turn. (A life that seems perfectly happy and unrealistic.)

Advanced Usage

• "fairy-tale ending": A conclusion that is exceptionally happy and perfect, like in many traditional stories.

  • The movie had a fairy-tale ending where the couple lived happily ever after. (An overly idealistic conclusion.)

• "fairy-tale romance": A relationship that seems magical, often involving instant attraction and perfect harmony.

  • They described their wedding as a fairy-tale romance come true. (A love story that feels unrealistically perfect.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fairy tale (noun phrase, variant spelling): The same as "fairy-tale," often written as two separate words.

  • This is a classic fairy tale about a princess and a dragon. (A traditional magic story.)

• Fairy-tale-like (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of a fairy-tale.

  • The garden had a fairy-tale-like beauty with its fountains and flowers. (Magical and enchanting in appearance.)

Synonyms

• Folk story: A traditional narrative passed down orally.
• Fable: A short story, often with animals, conveying a moral.
• Fantasy: A genre of imaginative fiction involving magic.
• Tall tale: An exaggerated or improbable story (more informal).
• Idyllic (adj): Extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.

Related Idioms

• "a fairy-tale come true": A situation that is as wonderful as a magical story.

  • Winning the lottery was a fairy-tale come true for them. (An amazing, unlikely event that actually happened.)

• "like a fairy-tale": Used to describe something that is unrealistically perfect.

  • Their wedding was like a fairy-tale, with decorations and music everywhere. (Overly romantic and ideal.)