fairy tale

/ˌfɛri teɪl/

/ˈfɛri teɪl/

Other forms: fairy tales

A fairy tale is a magical story for children, like "Cinderella" or "Rumpelstiltskin." If you read a story that begins, "Once upon a time," chances are it's a fairy tale.

A story doesn't have to include any fairies at all to be considered a fairy tale. Fairy tales are typically full of magic spells, princesses, talking animals, evil queens, witches, and goblins. Disney would probably not be in business if it weren't for fairy tales. You can also use the word to describe some part of real life that seems almost magical, like a "fairy tale romance."

Definitions of fairy tale

1. noun

   a children's story involving imaginary, magical or fantastical beings or elements
   synonyms: fairy story, fairytale

   type of:

   narration, narrative, story, tale

   a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
2. noun

   an interesting but highly implausible story; often told as an excuse
   synonyms: cock-and-bull story, fairy story, fairytale, song and dance

   type of:

   fib, story, tale, taradiddle, tarradiddle

   a trivial lie