What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fae
Example
The fae folk were said to live in the forest and protect the natural world. [fae: noun]
Example
She dressed up as a fae for the costume party, complete with wings and glitter. [fae: adjective]
fairy
Example
The fairy godmother granted Cinderella's wish and transformed her into a princess. [fairy: noun]
Example
She had a fairy-like quality to her, with her delicate features and gentle voice. [fairy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fairy is more commonly used than fae in everyday language and is more widely recognized. Fae is less common and may be unfamiliar to some people, especially those outside of certain subcultures.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fae and fairy?
Both fae and fairy are generally informal words, although fairy may be used in more formal contexts such as literature or poetry.
