fanciful

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adjective fan·ci·ful \ˈfan(t)-si-fəl\

Simple Definition of fanciful

: coming from the imagination
: showing imagination : unusual and appealing

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of fanciful

1 : marked by fancy or unrestrained imagination rather than by reason and experience <a fanciful person>
2 : existing in fancy only <a fanciful notion>
3 : marked by or as if by fancy or whim <gave their children fanciful names>

fancifully

play \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb

fancifulness

play \-fəl-nəs\ noun

See fanciful defined for English-language learners

See fanciful defined for kids

Examples of fanciful in a sentence

a fanciful tale of a monster in the woods
They gave all their children fanciful names.

Circa 1627

First Known Use of fanciful

circa 1627

Synonym Discussion of fanciful

imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical, quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable. imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination <an imaginary desert isle>. fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination <a teller of fanciful stories>. visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization <visionary schemes>. fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief <a fantastic world inhabited by monsters>. chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic <chimerical dreams of future progress>. quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense <a quixotic crusade>.

FANCIFUL Defined for Kids

fanciful

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adjective fan·ci·ful \ˈfan-si-fəl\

Definition of fanciful for Students

1 : showing free use of the imagination <a fanciful tale>
2 : coming from imagination rather than reason <He dreamed up a fanciful plan for getting rich.>