Origin: Latin suffix -ous
Fabulous has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity
"mythical centaurs"
"the fabulous unicorn"
Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
"The fabulous creatures in Greek mythology included griffins and sirens."
In plain English: Fabulous means extremely good, wonderful, or amazing.
"The sunset was absolutely fabulous and made everyone smile."
Usage: While this entry defines fabulous as mythical, in everyday conversation it is almost exclusively used as an intensifier meaning wonderful or extraordinary. Use it enthusiastically to describe something amazing rather than when referring strictly to legends and myths.
The word fabulous comes from the Latin term fābulōsus, which originally meant "celebrated in fable." It entered English during the Late Middle English period, evolving from this ancient sense of being legendary or mythical into its modern usage describing something extraordinary.