changeling

noun

change·​ling ˈchānj-liŋ How to pronounce changeling (audio)
1
archaic : turncoat
2
: a child secretly exchanged for another in infancy
3
archaic : imbecile
changeling adjective

Examples of changeling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The story of the changeling that Alice A referenced earlier in the series focused on a family putting a baby into a fire to bring their mother back. Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2024 Where to watch Krampus: Peacock 08 of 15 A Christmas Horror Story (2015) What do the Krampus, a horde of undead elves, bloodthirsty changelings, and William Shatner have in common? Huntley Woods, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2023 Their first four children are appropriately adorable, but their fifth child is a violent oddball and possibly a changeling. Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 Goblins steal a mother’s child and replace it with a ravenous changeling. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for changeling 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'changeling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of changeling was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near changeling

Cite this Entry

“Changeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/changeling. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

changeling

noun
change·​ling ˈchānj-liŋ How to pronounce changeling (audio)
: a child secretly exchanged for another in infancy

More from Merriam-Webster on changeling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!