English

Illustration to Cinderella by Gustave Doré: the fairy godmother preparing an enchantment for her goddaughter.

Noun

fairy godmother ‎(plural fairy godmothers)

1. In certain fairy tales, a fictional benevolent woman with magical powers who uses them to help the cause of the protagonist.

   I thought it was clever the director cast the same woman to play both the Wicked Witch and Prince Charming's fairy godmother.

2. (by extension) Any generous benefactor.
   • 2007, Choderlos de Laclos, Dangerous Liaisons, tr. Helen Constantine, Penguin 2007, p. 195:

     How lucky you are to have me for a friend! I am a fairy godmother to you!

Related terms

• fairy godfather

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