NYT Dictionary
FABULOUS
/ˈfæbjʊləs/AdjectiveFAB-u-lousfab-u-lous · 3 syllablesGrade 9
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *bʰéh₂ti Proto-Italic *fāōr Latin for, fā- Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlomder. Latin -bula Latin fābula Proto-Indo-European *h₃ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ŏ̄dsos? Old Latin -ōssus Latin -ōsus Latin fābulōsusder. Middle English fabulous English fabulous From Late Middle English fabulous, fabulose, from Latin fābulōsus (“celebrated in fable”); Equivalent to fable + -ous.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: