Some fairies, even some of the most ugly and horrifying, can be benevolent and helpful. Throughout folklore fairies have had a variety in disposition as varied as their appearances. In modern times the term fairy is most commonly used to describe beautiful, feminine-looking fairies that tend to have the wings of a butterfly or other flying insect, while other beings traditionally thought of as types of fairies that don't match this description tend to go by more specific names. Some fairies were beautiful and graceful. Even so, belief in fairies still lingers in small isolated communities and in the modern New Age and Neo-pagan movements that gained popularity in the Anglophone world beginning in the 1960's.ДЇairies have taken a wide variety of forms within European folklore and literature.

Post-enlightenment, belief in fairies dramatically decreased.

As Christianity spread, these beings were demoted to either being a race that lived parallel to humanity, or to demonic entities. In early, pre-Christian Europe these beings likely originated as lesser spirits or deities. The views concerning fairies has morphed and developed over time and by region. In modern times, the terms ' fairie, faerie, fae, or fay,' can all be used in place of ' fairy,' to describe fairies. Originating from the Proto-Indo-European ' *bha-,' meaning ' to speak, tell, or say,' it later developed into the Latin ' fata,' meaning ' the Fates.' From the Latin developed the Old French terms ' fae,' meaning ' fairy,' and ' faerie,' meaning ' land of fairies, meeting of fairies enchantment, magic, witchcraft, and sorcery.' ДЇrom the Old French developed the Middle English term 'fairie,' meaning, ' the country or home of supernatural or legendary creatures fairyland,' and ' something incredible or fictitious.' From the Middle English developed the modern term 'fairy,' meaning, ' a mythical being of folklore and romance usually having diminutive human form and magic powers,' or, ' of or relating to fairies.'

The term ' fairy' has an ancient etymology.

D&d fairy race