fabled

/ˈfeɪbld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfeɪbld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfā-bəld/ (ame, mw)

fabled — adjective

  • fabledpositive
  • more fabledcomparative
  • most fabledsuperlative

1. widely talked about in old tales or legends, and often more imagined than really

1.形容詞C2
釋義

widely talked about in old tales or legends, and often more imagined than really seen — for example, a hidden city said to be made of gold, or a giant fish that no one has ever caught

例句

Tanvi read about the fabled lost city of Atlantis in her history book.

attributive: fabled + noun (legendary place)

Old sailors in the harbour still spoke of the fabled white whale.

the fabled + creature from tales

同義詞
  • legendary

    very close in meaning and the most common everyday choice; slightly less literary than fabled (B2)

  • mythical

    leans harder toward 'not real' — often used for creatures or places that exist only in stories (C1)

  • storied

    emphasizes a long, rich history of stories attached to a place or institution, with less of the wonder/mystery tone (C2)

  • celebrated

    stresses public admiration for real achievement, without the tales-and-legend flavour (C1)

反義詞
  • unknown

    no stories or recognition attached at all (A2)

  • obscure

    barely heard of, with no legend or fame around it (B2)

文法句型

the fabled [noun]

[place/person]'s fabled [noun]

用法筆記

Almost always placed directly before a noun (attributive). Subject is usually a place, object, animal, or event that is famous through repeated stories rather than direct experience — so the word carries a hint of wonder or mystery, and sometimes a suggestion that the thing may be exaggerated or not quite real.

常見錯誤

The new restaurant down the street is fabled.
The new restaurant down the street is famous.
💡fabled is rarely used after the verb 'be' on its own, and it does not fit ordinary modern fame.
He is fabled for arriving late to every meeting.
He is notorious for arriving late to every meeting.
💡fabled has a positive, admiring tone and is not used for negative or trivial reputations.