fable

[ˈfeɪbəl]

fable Definition

  • 1a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.
  • 2a false statement or belief.

Using fable: Examples

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

  • Example

    The Tortoise and the Hare is a famous fable that teaches us to be persistent.

  • Example

    The fable of the boy who cried wolf warns us about the dangers of lying.

  • Example

    Don't believe everything you hear - it could just be a fable.

fable Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for fable

Phrases with fable

  • a fable that teaches a lesson or moral

    Example

    The Ant and the Grasshopper is a classic moral fable about the virtues of hard work and planning for the future.

  • a modern fable that is often circulated as a true story but is actually false or exaggerated

    Example

    The urban fable about alligators living in the sewers of New York City has been debunked many times, but people still believe it.

  • a political fable written by Bernard Mandeville in 1714 that argues that private vices can lead to public benefits

    Example

    The Fable of the Bees is a controversial work that challenges traditional ideas about morality and economics.

Origins of fable

from Latin 'fabula', meaning 'story'

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Summary: fable in Brief

A 'fable' [ˈfeɪbəl] is a short story, often featuring animals as characters, that teaches a moral lesson. It can also refer to a false statement or belief. Examples include The Tortoise and the Hare and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. 'Fable' can be used in phrases like 'moral fable,' which teaches a lesson, and 'urban fable,' which is a modern false story. 'Fable' is a formal term that can be used interchangeably with 'parable' and 'allegory.'