changeling

[ˈtʃeɪndʒlɪŋ]

changeling Definition

a child believed to have been secretly substituted by fairies for the parents' real child in infancy.

Using changeling: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "changeling" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The myth of the changeling has been a popular theme in folklore.

  • Example

    The couple suspected that their child was a changeling.

  • Example

    The story of the changeling is often used in literature and film.

changeling Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for changeling

Phrases with changeling

  • a situation where two babies are accidentally exchanged at birth

    Example

    The movie tells the story of two girls who were switched at birth and raised by different families.

  • a fraudulent scheme in which a baby is stolen and replaced with another

    Example

    The police arrested a group of people involved in a changeling scam.

  • a child who is different from what the parents expected or hoped for

    Example

    The parents were disappointed when they realized that their son was a changeling child who did not share their interests.

Origins of changeling

from Middle English 'chaunge', meaning 'to change'

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Summary: changeling in Brief

A 'changeling' [ˈtʃeɪndʒlɪŋ] is a child who is believed to have been secretly substituted by fairies for the parents' real child in infancy. The concept of the changeling has been a popular theme in folklore, literature, and film. It is also used to describe a child who is different from what the parents expected or hoped for, as in 'The parents were disappointed when they realized that their son was a changeling child.'