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

Some will read Schlink’s latest as an inspiring fable of intergenerational unity and redemption. —Randy Boyagoda, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025

Born in 1906 in the strongly Catholic, conservative Veneto region, to a haut-bourgeois family with aristocratic ancestors on both sides, Buzzati started writing dreamlike fables in the Thirties, when Bontempelli’s magic realism helped shape the scene. —Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Verb

Although its moniker may sound odd, Hungry Mother State Park, fabled to be named after a mother searching for food for her child, is one of Virginia’s oldest state parks. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024

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