Changeling
noun
A child believed to have been secretly exchanged by fairies for the parents' real child.
Parents were fearful of their baby being replaced by a changeling.
Often appears as...
- changeling myth
- changeling belief
noun
A person who changes their appearance or behavior in a noticeable way, especially inconsistently or frequently.
She has been all things to all people, a true changeling.
Often appears as...
- changeling personality
- chameleon-like changeling
noun
A child believed to have been secretly exchanged by fairies for the parents' real child.
Parents were fearful of their baby being replaced by a changeling.
Often appears as...
- changeling myth
- changeling belief
noun
A person who changes their appearance or behavior in a noticeable way, especially inconsistently or frequently.
She has been all things to all people, a true changeling.
Often appears as...
- changeling personality
- chameleon-like changeling
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Folklore Origin
The word originates from European folklore and is often used in stories about fairies.
In the tale, the infant's odd behavior led villagers to suspect a changeling.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Changeling' can imply that something is not genuine or is out of place.
The artist felt like a changeling in the corporate world.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Used metaphorically in literature to symbolize alienation or loss of identity.
The protagonist in the novel felt like a changeling, never fitting in with his peers.
Pro Tip 1/3Folklore Origin
The word originates from European folklore and is often used in stories about fairies.
In the tale, the infant's odd behavior led villagers to suspect a changeling.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Changeling' can imply that something is not genuine or is out of place.
The artist felt like a changeling in the corporate world.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Used metaphorically in literature to symbolize alienation or loss of identity.
The protagonist in the novel felt like a changeling, never fitting in with his peers.
Pro Tip 1/3Folklore Origin
The word originates from European folklore and is often used in stories about fairies.
In the tale, the infant's odd behavior led villagers to suspect a changeling.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Changeling' can imply that something is not genuine or is out of place.
The artist felt like a changeling in the corporate world.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Used metaphorically in literature to symbolize alienation or loss of identity.
The protagonist in the novel felt like a changeling, never fitting in with his peers.
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Video examples
Dame Stephanie Shirley:...
And then, at two and a half, like a changeling in a fairy story, he lost the little speech that he had
Video examples
Dame Stephanie Shirley:...
And then, at two and a half, like a changeling in a fairy story, he lost the little speech that he had
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Tilda Swinton
English Actress
I spent a lot of time thinking that I was some kind of foundling, that I had been a changeling, that I had been found under a bush somewhere, and that I couldn't possibly be kin - but the more I live, the more I feel absolutely like I come out of my family. I'm a sort of strange natural progression.
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
A changeling is one child substituted for another. I couldn't find anything more apt. We had to kind of fight that supernatural element in the publicity, and I offered to try and find another title, but Clint liked it, and it stayed.
Quote examples
Suranne Jones
English Actress
Unforgiven' gave me the opportunity to be a complete changeling: the blonde hair, the research that I did at the prison. It changed the perception of me.
Quote examples
Tilda Swinton
English Actress
I spent a lot of time thinking that I was some kind of foundling, that I had been a changeling, that I had been found under a bush somewhere, and that I couldn't possibly be kin - but the more I live, the more I feel absolutely like I come out of my family. I'm a sort of strange natural progression.
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
A changeling is one child substituted for another. I couldn't find anything more apt. We had to kind of fight that supernatural element in the publicity, and I offered to try and find another title, but Clint liked it, and it stayed.
Quote examples
Suranne Jones
English Actress
Unforgiven' gave me the opportunity to be a complete changeling: the blonde hair, the research that I did at the prison. It changed the perception of me.
Example 1 of 3
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