cinderella means A popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, cinderella ranks #2,351 of 14,308 for Most Malleable Words.
cinderella is pronounced /ˌsɪndəˈɹɛlə/.
Why “cinderella” is a great word
A person or thing that rises from obscurity, neglect, or humble circumstances to unexpected success or recognition. Its name is a pseudo-translation from the French *Cendrillon* (from *cendre*, 'ashes'), formed from the English 'cinder' (ashes) and the Italian diminutive suffix '-ella' (little), first recorded in English in 1840–50 from Charles Perrault's tale. Unlike an 'underdog'—a competitor with poor odds but no requisite domestic squalor—or a 'prodigy'—a being of innate, celebrated talent—a Cinderella’s ascent hinges on a transformative erasure of a grimy past. It is the soot wiped from a cheek to reveal royalty, the pumpkin touched into a golden coach, and the single glass slipper that fits only the overlooked; it is the stubborn, almost impossible hope that what is buried in ash might yet catch the light.
Etymology
From cinder + Italian -ella, as in little cinder girl. Compare French Cendrillon.
name
- A popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward.
- The main character in this story, a mistreated and impoverished girl.“The girls look like Southern belles or Cinderellas. The prom’s theme is Cinderellian: “Until Midnight.” Little, clear slippers sit on the 30 cloth- and candle-covered tables on the tarp-covered gymnasium floor.”
- A female given name originating as a coinage.
noun
- A mistreated and impoverished girl.
- Something rising unexpectedly from obscurity to success, as a Cinderella team.
- Something neglected and denied resources, as a Cinderella service.“Cinderella State”
- A procedure or surgery to reshape the feet.“For Dr. Sadrieh (who was wearing made-to-order Gucci brogues), foot surgery is a fusion of medicine and fairy tale. At his practice, you don’t have a bunionectomy; you have a Cinderella procedure.”
- A stamp or stamp-like label issued for purposes other than postal administration, not issued by a central government, or not listed in most general catalogues.
- A woman employed to clean, especially to remove ash from stoves and fireplaces.
Words closest in meaning
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