Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

changeling

noun

/ˈtʃeɪn.dʒlɪŋ/

Definition

A changeling is a child believed to have been secretly swapped with another child by fairies or supernatural beings.

Examples

In folklore, a changeling is often a sickly child left in place of a healthy one.
The mother believed her son was a changeling after he displayed unusual behavior.
Many stories involve families trying to reclaim their real child from the fairies.

Meaning

The term typically refers to a child left in place of one that has been taken away. It can also connote the idea of something deceptive or having been altered in some way.