noun Uncommon

Cinderella

sihn-duh-REH-luh

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Cinderella (noun) means a person or thing that unexpectedly rises from obscurity to success. Example: “The small college basketball team became the Cinderella story of the tournament.”

noun

A person or thing that unexpectedly rises from obscurity to success.

"The small college basketball team became the Cinderella story of the tournament."

"His rags-to-riches career made him a real Cinderella of the tech world."

Something that is overlooked or under-resourced compared to more favored things of its kind.

"Mental health has long been the Cinderella service of the healthcare system."

How to use Cinderella

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed for an unlikely underdog who suddenly succeeds, or for something that gets ignored and underfunded compared to others like it.

Common mistake

When capitalized and referring to the fairy-tale character, it is a proper noun; the lowercase figurative senses ("a cinderella story") are also common in journalism.

Common pairings

Cinderella story Cinderella team Cinderella service

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Cinderellas

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The small college basketball team became the _____ story of the tournament.

Etymology

From the classic fairy tale about a mistreated girl who is transformed and eventually marries a prince — the name blends "cinder" (ash, from her household chores) with a French-style diminutive ending.

Origin: French

Rhymes for Cinderella

Ella hella Bella Della Fella Stella paella rubella novella Capella Estella Louella

See all rhymes for Cinderella →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Cinderella” mean?

The word “Cinderella” means a person or thing that unexpectedly rises from obscurity to success. In plain terms, used for an unlikely underdog who suddenly succeeds, or for something that gets ignored and underfunded compared to others like it.

How do you pronounce “Cinderella”?

“Cinderella” is pronounced sihn-duh-REH-luh (/ˌsɪndəˈɹɛlə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Cinderella” in a sentence?

Here is “Cinderella” used in a sentence: “The small college basketball team became the Cinderella story of the tournament.”

What part of speech is “Cinderella”?

“Cinderella” is a noun.

Where does the word “Cinderella” come from?

The word “Cinderella” comes from French. From the classic fairy tale about a mistreated girl who is transformed and eventually marries a prince — the name blends "cinder" (ash, from her household chores) with a French-style diminutive ending.

Is “Cinderella” a common word?

“Cinderella” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Cinderella” have?

“Cinderella” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or thing that unexpectedly rises from obscurity to success.