fabulous

Fabulous is an adjective used to describe something that is extraordinary, impressive, or extremely good. In contemporary usage it often conveys strong praise, as in a fabulous performance or a fabulous view. The word can also express incredulity or hyperbole, emphasizing that something seems almost unbelievable. In everyday speech, fabulous is common across many domains, including fashion, entertainment, and media, and it is frequently employed for emphasis rather than to state a literal fact.

Etymology and historical sense: Fabulous derives from the Latin fabulōsus, meaning “fabled” or “story-like,” from fabul- “story, tale.” It entered English via Old French in forms such as fabuleux and later developed into the modern adjective. Historically, the term carried senses related to fables or legends, implying something that existed in stories rather than as documented fact. The positive sense of describing something as extraordinarily good emerged in more recent English usage, while retaining the distance from strict factuality.

Related terms and usage notes: A person who creates fables is a fabulist, and a fable is a short tale conveying a moral. While fabulous remains common in informal speech, its informal tone may be considered less suitable in formal writing. Synonyms include marvelous, splendid, terrific, and incredible, though each carries slightly different connotations depending on context.