Fairy vs. Witch — What's the Difference?

Mythical beings associated with nature.

Humans with learned magical skills.

Typically depicted as benevolent.

Portrayed as complex characters in stories.

Found in folklore and mythology.

Use spells, potions, and rituals in their magic.

Invisible to humans, unless chosen to be seen.

Can have benevolent or malevolent intentions.

Possess innate magical abilities.

Often misunderstood and vilified in history.

A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, German, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural. Myths and stories about fairies do not have a single origin, but are rather a collection of folk beliefs from disparate sources.

A person, especially a woman, claiming or popularly believed to possess magical powers and practice sorcery.

A small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers, especially a female one

A believer or follower of Wicca; a Wiccan.

A Central and South American hummingbird with a green back and long tail.

(Offensive) An old woman considered to be ugly or frightening.

An imaginary being in human form, depicted as clever, mischievous, and possessing magical powers.

A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing.

Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a gay man.

(Informal) A woman or girl considered to be charming or fascinating.

The realm of faerie; enchantment, illusion.

One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft

A mythical being with magical powers, known in many sizes and descriptions, although often depicted in modern illustrations only as a small sprite with gauze-like wings, and revered in some modern forms of paganism.

To work or cast a spell on; bewitch.

An enchantress, or creature of overpowering charm.

To cause, bring, or effect by witchcraft.

A member of two species of hummingbird in the genus Heliothryx.

To use a divining rod to find underground water or minerals; dowse.

A legendary Chinese immortal.

A person who practices witchcraft.

Like a fairy; fanciful, whimsical, delicate.

(now usually particularly) A woman who is learned in and actively practices witchcraft.

Enchantment; illusion.

An ugly or unpleasant woman.

The country of the fays; land of illusions.

One who exercises more-than-common power of attraction; a charming or bewitching person.

An imaginary supernatural being or spirit, supposed to assume a human form (usually diminutive), either male or female, and to meddle for good or evil in the affairs of mankind; a fay. See Elf, and Demon.

One given to mischief, especially a woman or child.

An enchantress.

(geometry) A certain curve of the third order, described by Maria Agnesi under the name versiera.

Of or pertaining to fairies.

The storm petrel.

Given by fairies; as, fairy money.

Any of a number of flatfish:

Small, human in form, playful, having magical powers

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Torbay sole), found in the North Atlantic.

Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (megrim), found in the North Atlantic.

Arnoglossus scapha, found near New Zealand.

The Indomalayan butterfly Araotes lapithis, of the family Lycaenidae.

A cone of paper which is placed in a vessel of lard or other fat and used as a taper.

(intransitive) To dowse for water.

To practise witchcraft.

(transitive) To bewitch.

A cone of paper which is placed in a vessel of lard or other fat, and used as a taper.

One who practices the black art, or magic; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by compact with an evil spirit, esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or sorceress; - now applied chiefly or only to women, but formerly used of men as well.

An ugly old woman; a hag.

One who exercises more than common power of attraction; a charming or bewitching person; also, one given to mischief; - said especially of a woman or child.

A certain curve of the third order, described by Maria Agnesi under the name versiera.

The stormy petrel.

A Wiccan; an adherent or practitioner of Wicca, a religion which in different forms may be paganistic and nature-oriented, or ditheistic. The term witch applies to both male and female adherents in this sense.

To bewitch; to fascinate; to enchant.

A female sorcerer or magician

A being (usually female) imagined to have special powers derived from the devil

An ugly evil-looking old woman

Cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something

A fairy is a mythical being with magical powers, often connected to nature and depicted as benevolent.

While often depicted as benevolent, some folklore includes mischievous or even malevolent fairies.

Fairies are said to inhabit an enchanted realm but can interact with the human world.

Witches live among humans, often hiding their true nature.

Witches can be protagonists or antagonists, with their roles deeply influenced by their moral choices.

Yes, witches often have familiars, animals with whom they share a magical bond.

Witches learn their craft, studying spells, potions, and magical rituals.

Fairies are supernatural beings with innate magic, while witches are humans with acquired magical knowledge.

A witch is a human who practices witchcraft, using learned spells and rituals to manipulate magical forces.

Yes, witches can use their powers for good, offering healing and protection.

Cultural perceptions of witches vary, from wise healers to feared practitioners of dark magic.

Witch trials reflect the fear and misunderstanding of witchcraft, often resulting in persecution of innocent people.

Fairies are born with their magical abilities, inherent to their nature.

While commonly depicted this way, fairies' appearances can vary greatly in folklore.

Fairies often act as guardians or helpers, using their magic to assist or protect.