fancied

adjective

fan·​cied ˈfan(t)-sēd 

: 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

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of fancy entry 1

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined above