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

The finale almost has a Cinderella element to it with the clock striking midnight and Nan’s fairytale coming to an end. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025

Seeley went on to star in a different teen musical movie, Another Cinderella Story, alongside Disney Channel alum Selena Gomez. —Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The couple then got engaged at Disney World in October 2014, in front in front of Cinderella's Castle with the engagement ring encased in a glass slipper. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 24 July 2025

According to an Orange County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, the altercation happened while people were preparing to watch a parade outside Cinderella Castle on Monday, July 21. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 23 July 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

Rhymes for Cinderella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• salmonella
• trichinella