different between fabulous vs smashing

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin f?bul?sus (“celebrated in fable”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fæbj?l?s/

Adjective

fabulous (comparative more fabulous, superlative most fabulous)

1. Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
2. Characteristic of fables; marvelous, extraordinary, incredible.
3. Fictional or not believable; made up.
4. (obsolete) Known for telling fables or falsehoods; unreliable.
5. (slang) Very good; outstanding, wonderful.
6. (slang or euphemistic) Gay or pertaining to gay people.
7. (slang) Camp, effeminate.
8. (slang) Fashionable, glamorous

Usage notes

• In the sense of wonderful, the word may become associated with gay men. This may be the direct result of its former usage among valley girls.

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:fabulous.

Synonyms

• Thesaurus:excellent
• Thesaurus:gay

Derived terms

Related terms

• fable

Translations

English

Etymology

From smash +? -ing. As a synonym for wonderful, the term first appeared in early 20th-century USA, and possibly derives from the sense of smash used in smash hit and similar terms. Popular folk etymology connects the term to the Irish is maith sin or Scottish Gaelic 's math sin ("that is good"), but this has been described as "improbable", and does not appear in most dictionaries.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?smæ???/
• Rhymes: -æ???

Adjective

smashing (comparative more smashing, superlative most smashing)

1. Serving to smash (something).

2. (originally US, now Britain and Ireland, slightly dated) Wonderful, very good or impressive.

Translations

Noun

smashing (plural smashings)

1. Gerund: The action of the verb to smash.

   Some Greek dance is traditionally accompanied by the smashing of crockery.

Verb

smashing

1. present participle of smash

References

Anagrams

• mashings, shamings