Cinderella

noun

Cin·​der·​el·​la ˌsin-də-ˈre-lə 

: one resembling the fairy-tale Cinderella: such as

a

: one suffering undeserved neglect

b

: one suddenly lifted from obscurity to honor or significance

Cinderella adjective

Examples of Cinderella in a Sentence

a company that is the Cinderella of the computer industry

The team is the Cinderella of the tournament.

Recent Examples on the Web

As for the glass slipper in Ani’s twisted Cinderella story? —Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024

Related Articles From silver screen star to Monegasque royalty, Kelly is a real-life Cinderella story — and her wardrobe continues to captivate the public. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024

Of course, there’s a place for the fantasy of Cinderella’s glass slipper or Snow White's hope that someday her prince will come. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 22 Nov. 2024

Nearly 75 years after its original release, Cinderella remains a Disney classic for a reason. —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after Cinderella, fairy-tale heroine who is used as a drudge by her stepmother but ends up married to a prince

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above