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
