fabulous
fabulous
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fabulous" is /ˈfæbjələs/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
fab: /fæb/
/f/ as in "fan"
/æ/ as in "cat"
/b/ as in "bat"
u: /jə/ or /jʊ/ (The 'u' here can be a reduced vowel sound similar to 'ya' or a slightly more distinct 'yu' sound. Both are acceptable.)
/j/ as in "yes"
/ə/ or /ʊ/ as in "up" (reduced vowel sound)
lous: /ləs/
/l/ as in "lap"
/ə/ as in "about" (reduced vowel sound)
/s/ as in "sit"
Word Form Variations
fabulous (adjective): This is the base form, meaning extremely good or impressive. It's the most common form.
fabulously (adverb): This modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, meaning in a fabulous manner. Example: "She sang fabulously."
fabulousness (noun): This is the noun form, referring to the quality of being fabulous. Example: "The fabulousness of the party was undeniable."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
fabulous: Extremely good, impressive, or wonderful; extraordinarily pleasing. Often used to describe something that is beyond the ordinary or expected.
Synonyms: marvelous, wonderful, splendid, magnificent, superb, fantastic, terrific, divine, glorious, breathtaking, extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional
Antonyms: terrible, awful, dreadful, horrible, unpleasant, mediocre, ordinary, common, unremarkable, poor, substandard
Adverb:
fabulously: In an extremely good or impressive manner; wonderfully.
Synonyms: marvelously, wonderfully, splendidly, magnificently, superbly, fantastically, terrifically, divinely, gloriously, breathtakingly, extraordinarily, remarkably, exceptionally
Antonyms: terribly, awfully, dreadfully, horribly, unpleasantly, poorly, substandardly, ordinarily
Noun:
fabulousness: The quality of being fabulous; extreme goodness or impressiveness.
Synonyms: splendor, magnificence, superbness, wonder, marvel, brilliance, excellence, grandeur, impressiveness
Antonyms: awfulness, dreadfulness, terribleness, mediocrity, ordinariness, commonness, poorness, substandardness
Examples of Use
Books:
"She looked absolutely fabulous in her new dress." (This is a common type of usage found in countless novels, particularly those focusing on fashion, romance, or social settings. It's difficult to cite a specific example as it's so widespread, but think of any novel where characters compliment each other's appearance.)
"The food was fabulous, a culinary masterpiece." (Again, a common usage, this time related to dining experiences. Many food blogs and restaurant reviews use similar language. Consider a cookbook like "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child; while not using "fabulous" specifically, it uses similar superlative language about food.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The city's new arts center is a fabulous addition to its cultural landscape." (This type of usage is common in reviews and articles about events, places, or performances. Search any city's local newspaper or online magazine for reviews of new buildings or attractions.)
"Investors are enjoying fabulous returns on their investments." (Business and financial publications often use "fabulous" or similar words to describe positive economic outcomes. Look at articles on market performance in publications like the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Reality TV: Contestants on shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" frequently use "fabulous" to describe outfits, performances, or other contestants. (This is a well-known trope of the show; many clips on YouTube demonstrate this.)
Social Media: "Had a fabulous time at the concert last night!" (This kind of usage is ubiquitous on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where people share their experiences and opinions. Searching for #fabulous on these platforms will yield countless examples.)
Movies/TV Shows: Characters frequently use "fabulous" in dialogue, often for comedic or dramatic effect. (Think of many classic Hollywood musicals where the term might be used to describe a performance or a costume.)
General Public Discourse:
"The weather today is absolutely fabulous!" (This is a very common usage in everyday conversation. People use "fabulous" to express enjoyment of various things, from weather to food to experiences.)
"You look fabulous! Where did you get that?" (Compliments are a frequent occasion for using "fabulous" in everyday interactions. This is a very common phrase used in casual settings.)
It's important to note that while "fabulous" is widely used, it can sometimes be considered slightly informal or even a bit cliché. The specific context and audience will influence whether it's the most appropriate word choice.
10 Famous Quotes Using Fabulous
" I think people should be allowed to be as fabulous as they want to be." — Jonathan Van Ness
"You look fabulous, darling, absolutely fabulous." — Edina Monsoon
"Fabulous is a state of mind." — Iris Apfel
"There’s something fabulous about getting dressed up and going out." — Sarah Jessica Parker
"To be fabulous is to embrace your uniqueness without apology." — Anonymous
"Fabulous people never ask permission to shine." — Anonymous
"I don't do fashion. I am fashion. And fashion is fabulous." — Coco Chanel
"Fabulous isn't just appearance—it's confidence, kindness, and flair." — RuPaul
"Living a fabulous life means loving boldly and laughing loudly." — Oprah Winfrey
"Everything is fabulous when you’re grateful." — Marie Forleo
Etymology
The word "fabulous" comes from the Latin word "fabulosus." Think of it like this: "fabulosus" was the original ancestor of our word.
"Fabulosus" itself was related to the Latin word "fabula," which meant a story, tale, or fable. Imagine the kinds of stories you'd hear as a kid, maybe with talking animals or magical events—those are the kinds of "fabulae" the Romans were thinking of.
So, originally, "fabulous" meant "like a fable" or "resembling a fable." It carried the idea of something being fantastical, legendary, or not quite real, like the stories in fables. This makes sense, right? Fables are often extraordinary and unbelievable.
Over time, the meaning of "fabulous" shifted. It started to be used to describe things that were extremely good, wonderful, or impressive, probably because the heroes and events in fables were often seen as amazing and larger than life. The connection to "fable" is still there, because something fabulous is often so good it seems almost unreal!
The first known use of "fabulous" in English was in the 1500s. At that time, it still had that original meaning of "like a fable." It wasn't until later that it took on its more common meaning of "extremely good."
So, in a nutshell, "fabulous" started as a word describing things that were like the fantastical stories in fables, and it gradually evolved to describe things that are so wonderful they seem almost like a dream or a fairy tale.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fabulous
Phrases (more common usage):
"Feeling fabulous": This is a common phrase to express that someone is feeling great, happy, and confident.
"Looking fabulous": Used to compliment someone's appearance.
"A fabulous time": Describes an enjoyable experience.
"Fabulous food/weather/etc.": Used to describe something that is very good.
Why few idioms with "fabulous" exist (and examples with synonyms):
Idioms are often metaphorical and have a meaning beyond the literal words. "Fabulous" is already quite a strong adjective, so it doesn't lend itself easily to further metaphorical stretching.
Instead of an idiom with "fabulous," we often use idioms that express the same idea of something being wonderful:
"Over the moon" (meaning extremely happy) expresses a similar level of positive emotion as "feeling fabulous."
"On cloud nine" (also meaning extremely happy) is another example.
"A dream come true" (meaning something wonderful has happened) could describe a "fabulous" event.
Lesser-known or original phrases/examples:
"Fabulous beyond words": Emphasizes how incredibly wonderful something is.
"Fabulous in every way": Highlights the all-around excellence of something.
"Fabulous and then some": Adds extra emphasis to the fabulousness.
"A fabulously crafted [item]": Highlights the skill and quality of the craftsmanship.
"Living the fabulous life": Refers to a luxurious and enjoyable lifestyle. (This is more of a cultural reference than a true idiom.)
Creating some examples (with "fabulous" or synonyms):
"She handled the situation with fabulous grace and diplomacy."
"The party was magnificent from start to finish."
"He's brilliant at what he does."
"They had a wonderful time on their vacation."
While "fabulous" itself might not be deeply embedded in idioms, the concept of fabulousness is frequently expressed through other idiomatic phrases and through the use of synonymous adjectives in various expressions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fabulous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
