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

• humor
• notion
• whim
• impression
• fantasy
• vagary
• caprice
• bee
• vagrancy
• kink
• whimsicality
• fancy
• megrim
• maggot

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

The drama has a touch of whimsy mixed among the horrors of the slave trade — a dirigible, a pirate ship and an octupus figure prominently — but the story is rooted in how Wash is able to remain uplifted despite the world’s attempts to bring him down. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 July 2025

Throughout the soft pink shade of the dress were silver sparkling elements that added a touch of whimsy and a princess-like sensibility to the ensemble. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2025

Aptly christened Whimsy Farms, the classic farmhouse-style adobe offers five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and just the right amount of whimsy. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 July 2025

Tea kettles, rolling pins, tableware, even shower curtains are all adorned in their ubiquitous courtly check, adding a dose of whimsy to any corner of your home. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025

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