Cinderella

noun

Cin·​der·​el·​la ˌsin-də-ˈre-lə 

: one resembling the fairy-tale Cinderella: such as

a

: one suffering undeserved neglect

b

: one suddenly lifted from obscurity to honor or significance

Cinderella adjective

Examples of Cinderella in a Sentence

a company that is the Cinderella of the computer industry

The team is the Cinderella of the tournament.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jasmine's collection is meant to embody how the princess finds her own path, and her fragrance, while inspired by the scent of oud, features notes of sparkling jasmine flower, jeweled currants and soft woods. Cinderella. —Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

Related Articles The collection of new fragrances features six new scents that draw inspiration from fairy-tale princesses Cinderella, Tiana, Jasmine, Moana, Belle and Ariel. —Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025

Ke Huy Quan may have one of the best Cinderella stories in Hollywood history. —Max Gao, IndieWire, 7 Feb. 2025

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse balloons fly in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, on May 31, 2024. —Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after Cinderella, fairy-tale heroine who is used as a drudge by her stepmother but ends up married to a prince

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above