fable
fable — noun
1. A brief story, often with animals or objects that talk and act like humans, writ
A brief story, often with animals or objects that talk and act like humans, written to teach a lesson about right and wrong behaviour.
Sayaka's mother told her a fable about a clever fox who tricked a boastful wolf into falling down a well.
told + fable about [animal]
The old man's favourite fable teaches that slow and steady wins every race.
fable teaches that [moral]
Children in Taiwan often read Aesop's fables during literature class.
Greta's class performed a short play based on a fable about a giant who learns to share.
- parable
uses human characters in everyday settings to teach a religious or moral lesson
- folk tale
traditional story passed down orally, not necessarily with an explicit moral
- moral tale
broader term; any story designed to teach right from wrong, not limited to animal characters
用法筆記
Frequently ends with a stated moral. The best-known collection is Aesop's Fables, traditionally attributed to a storyteller from ancient Greece.
常見錯誤
2. A story from ancient times involving gods, heroes, or magical events, not intend
A story from ancient times involving gods, heroes, or magical events, not intended to be historically accurate.
The ancient Greek fable tells of a river god who fell in love with a mortal woman.
fable + about [mythological being]
Historians still debate whether the fable about the golden city was based on a real location.
Reuben read a Norse fable about a hero whose magical hammer was stolen by a giant.
Sahil collects ancient fables about dragon gods and enchanted rivers from cultures across Asia and Europe.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense emphasises mythical, supernatural content rather than a moral lesson. The word 'myth' is more common for this meaning in modern English.
3. A statement or account that is deliberately invented and presented as true, inte
A statement or account that is deliberately invented and presented as true, intended to deceive others.
The politician's version of the event was later exposed as a complete fable.
exposed as a fable
Adina knew the rumour was a fable spread to damage her reputation at work.
The journalist's account of the rescue turned out to be nothing but a fable.
Heloísa dismissed the article as a fable full of exaggeration and false claims.
- lie
blunter and more common; any intentionally false statement, not necessarily elaborated
- fabrication
formal synonym that emphasises the act of inventing; interchangeable in most contexts
- tall tale
informal; an exaggerated story told for entertainment rather than serious deception
用法筆記
Stronger than 'lie' — implies a detailed, elaborated invention rather than a simple falsehood. Common in formal or literary criticism of someone's story.
常見錯誤
fable — verb
1. To tell traditional stories with talking animals or magical events, especially a
To tell traditional stories with talking animals or magical events, especially as a skilled storyteller.
Grandfather would fable for hours, telling stories of talking animals and wise old kings.
intransitive: fable for [duration]
The village elder fabled about a clever rabbit who tricked a hungry lion.
fable about [subject]
At the harvest festival, the village women would fable about a clever turtle who outran a boastful hare.
The court poet fabled about a phoenix that rose from its own ashes.
用法筆記
Intransitive only — the focus is on the act of storytelling, not on a specific story being told. 'Fable about + topic' is the most common pattern.
2. To describe something in a way that makes it seem real or impressive, often by e
To describe something in a way that makes it seem real or impressive, often by exaggerating or inventing details.
The explorer fabled his journey, claiming he had discovered a secret valley of diamonds.
transitive: fabled + object (his journey)
Layla fabled an exciting tale of adventure just to impress her younger cousins.
João fabled his humble beginnings, telling everyone he was once a prince.
The merchant fabled the origin of his silk to make it sound more mysterious.
- report
gives factual information without invention
用法筆記
The only transitive sense of 'fable'. The object is typically a story, journey, or account. Often implies the speaker knows the account is exaggerated or untrue.