MEANING
A being believed in folklore to have been substituted for a human child by fairies or other supernatural beings.
Use it for
uncertain identity; supernatural substitution; family suspicionExplore identity and belonging without endorsing historical mistreatment.
Words that belong together
- fairy changeling
- suspected changeling
- changeling tale
On the page
The changeling remembered a cradle no one in the village had seen.
She protected the accused child whether or not he was a changeling.
A changeling returned at adulthood to ask why the exchange had happened.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- changeling
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Usage notes
Primary category: fantasy. Historically tied to harmful beliefs about disability and illness; do not present real children as evidence of supernatural substitution. Noun: changeling; plural changelings.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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