noun
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell (noun) means something that only exists or works because people believe in it — an idea kept alive purely by faith or attention. Example: “Critics called the startup's valuation a tinkerbell effect, propped up by hype alone.”
noun
1
Something that only exists or works because people believe in it — an idea kept alive purely by faith or attention.
"Critics called the startup's valuation a tinkerbell effect, propped up by hype alone."
How to use Tinkerbell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to describe something whose survival depends entirely on people believing in it.
Memory tip
You will mostly meet this as "the Tinker Bell effect," used in economics and psychology writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Tinkerbells
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics called the startup's valuation a _____ effect, propped up by hype alone.
Etymology
From Tinker Bell, the fairy in J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, who is famously kept alive only by children believing in fairies.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Tinkerbell” mean?
The word “Tinkerbell” means something that only exists or works because people believe in it — an idea kept alive purely by faith or attention. In plain terms, used to describe something whose survival depends entirely on people believing in it.
How do you use “Tinkerbell” in a sentence?
Here is “Tinkerbell” used in a sentence: “Critics called the startup's valuation a tinkerbell effect, propped up by hype alone.”
What part of speech is “Tinkerbell”?
“Tinkerbell” is a noun.
What is the meaning of Tinkerbell?
"Tinkerbell" (noun) means something that only exists or works because people believe in it — an idea kept alive purely by faith or attention.
