Fey: meaning, definitions and examples

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fey

 

[ feɪ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

magical quality

Having an otherworldly or magical quality; often associated with fairies or folklore. It can imply a sense of being enchanted or having a touch of the supernatural.

Synonyms

ethereal, unearthly, whimsical

Examples of usage

  • She had a fey appearance that fascinated everyone at the party.
  • The forest felt fey, with its shimmering lights and ethereal sounds.
  • His fey demeanor made him stand out in the dull crowd.
Context #2 | Adjective

foreboding

Suggesting an ominous or foreboding quality; feeling that something bad may happen. It can describe someone's mood or the atmosphere of a situation.

Synonyms

eerie, foreboding, ominous

Examples of usage

  • Her fey smile made him uneasy, as if she knew something he didn't.
  • There was a fey tension in the air before the storm hit.
  • His fey warning put everyone on edge.

Translations

Translations of the word "fey" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fada

🇮🇳 परियों का

🇩🇪 Fee

🇮🇩 peri

🇺🇦 фея

🇵🇱 wróżka

🇯🇵 妖精

🇫🇷 fée

🇪🇸 hada

🇹🇷 peri

🇰🇷 요정

🇸🇦 جنية

🇨🇿 víla

🇸🇰 víla

🇨🇳 仙女

🇸🇮 vila

🇮🇸 álfur

🇰🇿 фея

🇬🇪 ფერია

🇦🇿 peri

🇲🇽 hada

Etymology

The word 'fey' originates from the Middle English term 'fai', referring to magical beings or fairies. This term itself is derived from the Old Norse word 'feyja', which means 'to bewitch'. Over time, 'fey' evolved to encompass both the sense of being enchanted and having an eerie, otherworldly presence. It captures the duality of beauty and danger often associated with supernatural entities in folklore. In contemporary usage, 'fey' often describes people or things that appear whimsical or surreal, yet might also carry an unsettling undertone. The word has permeated various aspects of literature and culture, often highlighting the fascination and fear surrounding the unknown.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,384 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.