# Cinderella

/ˌsɪndɝˈɛɫə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cinderella
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. fairy tale character

noun · CEFR A2

the main character in a famous story who is treated badly by her family but eventually marries a prince.

For teachers: the protagonist of a classic folk tale who overcomes unjust oppression and poverty to achieve triumphant reward.

- In the story, Cinderella loses her glass slipper while running away from the ball.
- The archetype of Cinderella remains a staple of Western literature, representing the ultimate transition from domestic servitude to royal status.

### 2. unexpected success

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to describe a person or team that suddenly becomes successful after being unknown or ignored.

For teachers: denoting a person or entity that achieves sudden, unexpected success after a period of obscurity or neglect.

- The small college team had a Cinderella season and made it to the finals.
- Sports commentators frequently employ the Cinderella narrative when an underdog team defies the odds to reach the championship game.

### 3. neglected or underfunded

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

describes something that does not get enough money, attention, or resources.

For teachers: referring to a service, department, or area of policy that is consistently neglected or denied adequate resources.

- Mental health has often been the Cinderella service of the national healthcare system.
- The minister promised to increase funding for social care, which had long been regarded as the Cinderella sector of the budget.

### 4. non-postal stamp

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a label that looks like a postage stamp but cannot be used to mail a letter.

For teachers: a stamp-like label issued for purposes other than postal administration, such as advertising or charity, not valid for postage.

- He collects Cinderella stamps that were printed to promote the 1920s trade fairs.
- While not valid for franking mail, these Cinderella issues are highly prized by specialized philatelists for their intricate designs.

## Examples

- She felt like a real Cinderella after getting the job.
- The small startup became a Cinderella story when it was acquired by a tech giant.
- Critics argued that the film relied too heavily on the Cinderella trope, suggesting that hard work alone rarely leads to such magical transformations.

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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.