What does fabulosity mean?
Fabulosity is a noun denoting the quality of being fabulous: extraordinary splendour, glamour, or wonderfulness. It is formed from 'fabulous' with the suffix '-ity', in the same pattern as words like 'curiosity' and 'generosity'. Although its modern use is largely informal and playful — applied to dazzling outfits, extravagant parties, or larger-than-life personalities, often with a wink of irony — the word has older roots. Historically, because 'fabulous' descends from the Latin 'fabula' (a tale or story), fabulosity could also refer to fabulousness in the sense of fiction: a fabulous tale, or the habit of telling one. Today that sense survives only in historical or literary contexts, and the dominant meaning is celebratory. A useful, expressive alternative to plainer words like 'glamour' or 'magnificence' when you want your enthusiasm to show.
The quality of being fabulous; extraordinary splendour, glamour, or wonderfulness.
"Her outfit radiated sheer fabulosity at the gala."
Modern usage is informal and often ironic or playful.
A fabulous thing, statement, or tale; something marvellous or fictitious.
"His memoirs are full of fabulosity rather than fact."
This sense is now rare and chiefly historical.
The plural is uncommon and typically appears in literary or historical contexts referring to fabulous tales or statements.
"The chronicle is peppered with fabulosities that strain credulity."
Before it meant glamour, fabulosity could describe a pack of lies — it was once the art of telling fabulous tales.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fabulosity
Fabulosity derives from 'fabulous', which comes from Latin 'fabulosus', rooted in 'fabula' meaning a tale or story — the same source as 'fable'. The suffix '-ity' turns the adjective into an abstract noun of quality, on the model of words like 'curiosity'. Because of its fable connection, early English uses of the word often concerned fabulous tales or fictitious statements, before the modern celebratory sense of glamour and splendour became dominant.
How fabulosity is actually used
Register is informal to playful in modern usage; it carries a campy, celebratory connotation, often used ironically or affectionately about fashion and lifestyle. The older sense relating to fables and fiction is now rare and largely historical.
Easily confused with fabulosity
Fabulousness is the plain, more common noun for the quality of being fabulous, while fabulosity is a rarer, more playful variant that can also mean a fabulous thing or utterance.