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Fey vs. Fairy: What's the Difference?

Fey and Fairy Definitions

Fey

Overrefined, exaggerated, or affected
"She said the word in a deliberately fey and pretentious manner, striking a pose" (Jenefer Shute).

Fairy

An imaginary being in human form, depicted as clever, mischievous, and possessing magical powers.

Fey

Effeminate
"a fey snap of the wrist" (Michael Eric Dyson).

Fairy

Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a gay man.

Fey

Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality
"She's got that fey look as though she's had breakfast with a leprechaun" (Dorothy Burnham).
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Fairy

The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion.

Fey

Having visionary power; clairvoyant.

Fairy

A mythical being with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although often depicted in modern illustrations only as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, and revered in some modern forms of paganism.

Fey

Appearing touched or crazy, as if under a spell.

Fairy

An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.
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Fey

Fated to die soon.

Fairy

A male homosexual, especially one who is effeminate.

Fey

Full of the sense of approaching death.

Fairy

A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.

Fey

About to die; doomed; on the verge of sudden or violent death.
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Fairy

A legendary Chinese immortal.

Fey

(obsolete) Dying; dead.

Fairy

Like a fairy; fanciful, whimsical, delicate.

Fey

Possessing second sight, clairvoyance, or clairaudience.

Fairy

Enchantment; illusion.
The God of her has made an end,And fro this worlde's fairyHath taken her into company.

Fey

Overrefined, affected.

Fairy

The country of the fays; land of illusions.
He [Arthur] is a king y-crowned in Fairy.

Fey

Strange or otherworldly.

Fairy

An imaginary supernatural being or spirit, supposed to assume a human form (usually diminutive), either male or female, and to meddle for good or evil in the affairs of mankind; a fay. See Elf, and Demon.
The fourth kind of spirit [is] called the Fairy.
And now about the caldron sing,Like elves and fairies in a ring.

Fey

Spellbound.

Fairy

An enchantress.
No goblin or swart fairy of the mineHath hurtful power over true virginity.

Fey

Magical or fairylike.

Fairy

Of or pertaining to fairies.

Fey

Fairy folk collectively.

Fairy

Given by fairies; as, fairy money.

Fey

Fated; doomed.

Fairy

Small, human in form, playful, having magical powers

Fey

Faith.

Fairy

Offensive terms for an openly homosexual man

Fey

To cleanse; to clean out.

Fey

Slightly insane

Fey

Suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness;
Thunderbolts quivered with elfin flares of heat lightning
The fey quality was there, the ability to see the moon at midday

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