whimsy

noun

whim·​sy ˈ(h)wim-zē 

variants or less commonly whimsey

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy

3

: a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Synonyms of whimsy

• whim

Examples of whimsy in a Sentence

The designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy.

a bit of decorative whimsy

Recent Examples on the Web

Negative-space hearts add a romantic sense of whimsy. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026

The service The service is immaculate and delivered with a touch of whimsy. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026

Please don’t mistake the lack of actual emojis in my write-up of Katie’s story for a lack of whimsy on my part. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 15 Jan. 2026

So for a little more whimsy and joy this year, why not pick up the crochet hooks or paintbrush, or join a book club? —Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

irregular from whim-wham

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whimsy

noun

whim·​sy

variants also whimsey

ˈhwim-zē 

ˈwim-

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line of swimwear showed a touch of whimsy

3

: an imaginative or fantastic object or creation especially in a piece of writing or art