fancied

adjective

fan·​cied ˈfan(t)-sēd How to pronounce fancied (audio)
: imagined or believed to be true or real
a fancied resemblance
I can't remember any damn memo of mine at all, but I have the distinct impression that almost all of them were written in anger over real or fancied wrongs …James Thurber
… like the split infinitive and other fancied lapses from verbal rectitude …Kingsley Amis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The 25-year-old Frost led from start to finish to give trainer Paul Nicholls his 12th success in the race at Kempton Park on the outskirts of London as more fancied contenders fell away. Paul Gittings, CNN, 26 Dec. 2020 Think of the Murph as a fancied up version of Hamilton's good old Khaki Field watch. Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Mar. 2023 The researchers first identified eight music loving volunteers who reported consistently experiencing chills of pleasure when listening to their favorite music (most of the subjects were classical music fans, but a few fancied jazz or rock). Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fancied.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of fancy entry 1

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fancied was in 1568

Dictionary Entries Near fancied

Cite this Entry

“Fancied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancied. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY