fabulous
adjective
Did you know?
The Meaning of Fabulous Before It Meant ‘Great’
Most of us use the word fabulous in an entirely positive sense, with the meaning “wonderful” or “marvelous.” This is an entirely acceptable way to use the word, but it is by no means the sense that fabulous had when it entered the English language: its original meaning was “characteristic of fables” (a fable is “an invented tale”). In that sense, "the fabulous legends of Arabia" refers to legends based upon fable rather than notably excellent legends. The semantic drift that fabulous has undergone is not at all uncommon in language, and we see comparable developments in words of similar in meaning. Fantastic previously meant “of, belonging to, or constituting fantasy”; awesome initially had the sole meaning “expressive of awe” (and many people wish that it still did); and terrific meant “terrible, terrifying” long before it meant “splendid.”
Synonyms
- fabled
- legendary
- mythical
- mythic
Example Sentences
André-naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2022 With fresh watermelon, sweet white grape juice, cooling mint, and plenty of fizz, this festive and fabulous punch definitely makes a statement. Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022 Finally, Gunna had a bright and fabulous moment this past week while in Capri, Italy. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2022 Carolyn Bessette and Sharon Stone showed us that pairing a shirt with a long skirt is a fabulous yet easy evening ensemble. Marykate Boylan, Town & Country, 16 July 2022 And while men look fabulous in femme pink (as evidenced by Billy Porter and Harry Styles), historically it hasn't been viewed as a gender-neutral colour. Katy Kelleher, refinery29.com, 13 July 2022 In this Discovery+ original series, drag superstar Trixie Mattel and her partner David renovate a rundown motel in hopes of transforming it into a bold and fabulous Palm Springs getaway. Briana Richert, EW.com, 11 July 2022 The result is a dashing competitive extravaganza — fresh, fierce yet friendly, and utterly fabulous. Laura Manske, Forbes, 15 June 2022 Jazerai Allen-Lord is the definition of 40 and fabulous. Essence, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Middle English fabulous, fabulose "legendary, mythical," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fabuleux, borrowed from Latin fābulōsus "celebrated in legend, resembling an invented story, mythical," from fābula "talk, account, fable entry 1" + -ōsus -ous
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
fabulous
adjective
fabulous
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- mythical
- legendary
- mythic
- fabled
- mythological
- famed
- fictional
- fantastic
- fictitious
- mythologic
- storied
- imaginary
- fanciful
- fantastical
- imagined
- unreal
- romanticized
- invented
- chimerical
- fabricated
- pretend
- allegorical
- made-up
- chimeric
- semilegendary
- make-believe
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- real
- actual
- historical
- true
- existent
- authentic
- factual
- genuine
- confirmed
- real-world
- bona fide
- proven
- validated
- established
- authenticated
- attested
- substantiated
- verified
- real-life
Synonyms & Similar Words
- wonderful
- amazing
- marvellous
- marvelous
- astonishing
- stunning
- incredible
- miraculous
- awesome
- surprising
- sublime
- extraordinary
- stupendous
- impressive
- wondrous
- spectacular
- staggering
- remarkable
- astounding
- prodigious
- awful
- interesting
- fascinating
- outstanding
- unusual
- unbelievable
- portentous
- unique
- exciting
- phenomenal
- eye-opening
- enchanting
- charming
- rare
- striking
- inconceivable
- unimaginable
- attractive
- unthinkable
- incomprehensible
- uncommon
- sensational
- notable
- noticeable
- attracting
- smashing
- entertaining
- alluring
- conspicuous
- enlightening
- bewitching
- invigorating
- singular
- captivating
- enthralling
- energizing
- unwonted
- enlivening
- mind-blowing
- beguiling
- mind-boggling
- animating
- galvanizing
- mind-bending
- stimulating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unremarkable
- boring
- unimpressive
- typical
- usual
- normal
- uninspiring
- tedious
- dull
- ordinary
- uninteresting
- common
- tiring
- uninspired
- monotonous
- customary
- unexceptional
- mundane
- weary
- exhausting
- wearisome
- wearying
- draining
- debilitating
- fatiguing
- discouraging
- wearing
- disheartening
- dispiriting
- enervating
- jading
- demoralizing
- enfeebling
Synonyms & Similar Words
- fictitious
- imaginary
- mythical
- fictional
- mythic
- fantasied
- fantastic
- ideal
- imagined
- fantastical
- invented
- unreal
- fanciful
- imaginal
- legendary
- phantom
- chimerical
- phantasmal
- pretend
- theoretical
- romantic
- visionary
- notional
- phantasmic
- made-up
- unlikely
- unbelievable
- chimeric
- make-believe
- fabled
- hypothetical
- abstract
- theoretic
- deceptive
- pictured
- visualized
- unconvincing
- conceived
- envisioned
- illusory
- phantasmagoric
- hallucinatory
- envisaged
- concocted
- phantasmagorical
- delusive
- nonexistent
- delusional
- fictive
- fabricated
- daydreamlike
- feigned
- inexistent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- real
- actual
- true
- authentic
- genuine
- existing
- solid
- realistic
- existent
- substantial
- factual
- convincing
- believable
- verifiable
- physical
- tangible
- material
- corporeal
- palpable
- verified
Synonyms & Similar Words
- wonderful
- lovely
- excellent
- awesome
- fantastic
- terrific
- beautiful
- great
- superb
- marvelous
- stellar
- marvellous
- fine
- hot
- prime
- famous
- fab
- classic
- neat
- heavenly
- splendid
- cool
- quality
- sensational
- divine
- exceptional
- fantabulous
- brave
- superlative
- good
- nifty
- groovy
- top
- superior
- grand
- choice
- slick
- prize
- immense
- dynamite
- dandy
- peachy
- cracking
- unsurpassed
- sterling
- noble
- par excellence
- swell
- topping
- banner
- capital
- crackerjack
- primo
- keen
- brag
- decent
- top-notch
- mean
- too much
- radical
- gangbusters
- boffo
- prizewinning
- frontline
- better
- dope
- special
- peachy keen
- first-rate
- topflight
- righteous
- bumper
- supernal
- corking
- high-class
- gone
- boss
- gangbuster
- bonny
- hype
- number one
- first-class
- wizard
- bully
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- numero uno
- tip-top
- bang-up
- adequate
- jim-dandy
- five-star
- down
- phat
- out of this world
- A-OK
- acceptable
- gilt-edge
- out-of-sight
- traditional
- four-star
- satisfactory
- gilt-edged
- bonnie
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- classical
- fancy
- No. 1
- premium
- first-string
- all right
- tolerable
- passable
- A1
- superfine
- select
- standard
- okay
- OK
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- awful
- poor
- lousy
- atrocious
- pathetic
- wretched
- vile
- rotten
- bad
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- inferior
- substandard
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.
While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.
The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.
The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.
Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.