Definition of fabulous

The word "fabulous" originated in the Middle Ages, during which time it was used to describe something associated with fables or folk tales. It came from the Latin word "fabula," which meant "story" or "fable." In Old French, the word evolved into "fabuleux," which had connotations of both marvelous and fanciful tales. The use of "fabulous" to describe something unbelievably good or wonderful started to creep into English during the Middle English period. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes a 1425 English manuscript, in which "fabulous" was used to describe marvelous or wonderful things in Scripture. By the 16th century, it was commonly used to describe something improbable or exaggerated. However, the modern meaning of "fabulous" as something exceptional, magnificent, and awe-inspiring, emerged in the early 20th century. It was popularized by American slang and literary usage in the 1920s and 1930s. Since then, "fabulous" has become a ubiquitous term in popular culture, used to describe everything from fashion and food to experiences and events that exceed expectations.