pixielike

Pixielike is an English adjective describing something that resembles a pixie or has the attributes commonly attributed to pixies in folklore and fantasy. The term is formed from pixie and -like. Its earliest uses date to 19th-century folklore writing and it has been widely used in literary criticism and popular fantasy ever since.

In folklore and popular fantasy, pixielike things are typically small in stature, with delicate or elfin features such as pointed ears, bright or luminous eyes, and an agile, quick gait. They may be associated with mischievous or capricious behavior and with magical or supernatural affinities, though the term can also be used more loosely to denote charm or whimsy without implying actual magical power.

In modern usage, pixielike appears in fashion, design, and media criticism to describe a stylistic effect: diminutive, whimsical, airy, and charmingly otherworldly. It can describe clothing silhouettes, decor, or character aesthetics that convey a fairy-tantasy vibe without being literally fantastical.

The form pixie-like is more common in many contemporary texts than pixielike, but both are understood. Related terms include pixie, elf, fae, and elvish.