fable

1 of 2

noun

fa·​ble ˈfā-bəl 

: a fictitious narrative or statement: such as

a

: a legendary story of supernatural happenings

Minerva is in fables said, from Jove without a mother to proceed

—Sir John Davies

b

: a narration intended to enforce a useful truth

especially : one in which animals speak and act like human beings

The theme of the fable was the folly of human vanity.

c

: falsehood, lie

The story that he won the battle single-handedly is a mere fable.

fable

2 of 2

verb

fabled; fabling ˈfā-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

archaic : to tell fables

transitive verb

: to talk or write about as if true

fabler

ˈfā-b(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• allegory
• apologue
• parable

Examples of fable in a Sentence

Noun

a fable about busy ants

The story that he won the battle single-handedly is a mere fable.

He combines fact and fable to make a more interesting story.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to Catherine Avery’s cancer and Jo Wilson’s PTSD, the series also makes the case that the messy exit of original cast member Justin Chambers got a dose of Finch’s fables as well. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024

Investigating these unverifiable fables about aliens should be scrapped as a fool’s errand for AARO, which earlier this year released a historical review demolishing this long-running conspiracy theory. —Luis Cayetano Simmari, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024

Verb

Tony was also a player in Swinging London, fabled for his charm, smarts, skill, energy, philanthropic causes, good looks, gift of gab, circle of hip friends and extramarital love affairs. —Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin fābula "talk, gossip, account, tale, legend," from fā-, stem of for, fārī "to speak, say" + -bula, feminine derivative of -bulum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-d^hlom) — more at ban entry 1

Verb

Middle English fablen, borrowed from Anglo-French fabler, fableier, going back to Latin fābulārī "to talk, converse, invent a story," verbal derivative of fābula "talk, account, fable entry 1"

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing fable

• beast fable

Kids Definition

fable

noun

fa·​ble

ˈfā-bəl

: a short fictitious story

especially : one intended to teach a lesson and in which animals speak and act like human beings