fairy tale
A 'fairy tale' often involves magical or supernatural elements and is usually aimed at children, although the term can also refer to idealized situations or deceptive stories.
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Definition
B1Literature
(children, fantasy)A story featuring magical or supernatural elements, often with a happy ending.
Example
- Cinderella is a classic fairy tale with a magical transformation and a happy ending.
- Many fairy tales involve quests and enchanted creatures.
B2General
(metaphorical)An idealized or perfect situation that seems too good to be true.
Example
- Their relationship was like a fairy tale, full of romance and happiness.
- Winning the lottery and buying a mansion felt like a fairy tale come true.
B2General
(informal, deceptive)A fabricated story meant to deceive or mislead.
Example
- His claim of being a millionaire was just a fairy tale.
- She told a fairy tale about her adventures to impress her friends.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fairy tale":
fairy storyfairy-tale endingfairy operaairy fairyfairy balletfairy dustfairy problemfairy circlehappily ever afterfairy godmotherfairy chessfairy moneyfairy butterfantasy worldfairy ringfairy lamp