# changeling

/tʃˈeɪndʒlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/changeling
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

a baby from old stories that fairies secretly leave in place of a real human baby. People also use it for a child who looks or acts very different from the family.

For teachers: a child believed in folklore to have been secretly substituted by fairies or supernatural beings for a human infant. Extended figuratively to a child perceived as strikingly unlike its parents or family.

## Examples

- The old tale tells of a changeling left by fairies.
- The villagers whisper that the strange baby is a changeling swapped in the night by forest spirits.
- In the novel, the mother slowly accepts the changeling as her own, learning that love can grow even where blood and belonging feel uncertain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.