Cinderella
/ˌsɪn.dəˈrɛl.ə/noun
A fairy-tale heroine oppressed by her family who is transformed and recognized through magical aid.
Did you know?Cinderella began as a nickname for a soot-covered servant in French, and the fairy tale later turned that dusty label into one of the most powerful transformation myths in the world.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
French
cendrillon
“Little ash-girl; a scullery maid or servant girl associated with ashes”
17th Century
French
Cendrillon
“The fairy-tale heroine in Charles Perrault’s version of the story”
17th Century
English
Cinderella
“Borrowed fairy-tale name for the ash-covered girl”
Modern English
English
Cinderella
“A neglected person or thing that later receives recognition or success”