fanciful

adjective

fan·ci·ful | \ ˈfan(t)-si-fəl

Definition of fanciful

1 : marked by fancy or unrestrained imagination rather than by reason and experience a fanciful person a fanciful tale of a monster in the woods

2 : existing in fancy (see fancy entry 2) only a fanciful notion the falsehoods about some fanciful secret treaties— F. D. Roosevelt

3 : marked by or as if by fancy or whim gave their children fanciful names

Other Words from fanciful Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about fanciful

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Other Words from fanciful

fancifully \ ˈfan(t)-si-f(ə-)lē

\ adverb

fancifulness \ ˈfan(t)-si-fəl-nəs

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of fanciful in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Upstairs, blush-colored walls, Art Deco elements, and whimsical branding bring a fanciful interpretation of Parisian glamour to 18 small rooms. — Elizabeth Wellington, Vogue, "Where to Find London’s Hidden French Side," 7 Jan. 2019 On his splashy Instagram page, image after image depicts Bendriouich, handlebar mustache and all, fully made up as the protagonist of his own fanciful Moroccan-set period piece. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Designer and Glamour Boy Amine Bendriouich Puts a Unisex Spin on Dressing à la Marocaine," 5 Sep. 2018 And often that process is gummed up by objections, either real or fanciful, from neighbors and critics. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Here's why Detroit development takes so long," 11 July 2018 Herein lay the justification for Gilpin’s remarkable, if fanciful, theory that rationalized American exceptionalism. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 Others prolonged summer in fanciful takes on the LWD, like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in a custom Ralph Lauren tuxedo coatdress and Katie Holmes in Tory Burch’s simple shirtdress. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Bella, Cardi, Gigi, and the Best Celebrity Street Style at New York Fashion Week," 14 Sep. 2018 Seagram’s now sells Seagram’s Escapes, with such fanciful flavors as Calypso Colada and Bahama Mama. — Dave Mcintyre, The Seattle Times, "The next generation of wine coolers tastes like fun," 20 Aug. 2018 Enter one of the town’s unassuming restaurants, however, and you're transported into a bustling scene straight out of Brooklyn, complete with fanciful cocktails. — Hannah Zisman, Marie Claire, "Weekend Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat and Drink in Marfa, Texas," 24 July 2018 This fanciful upscale bar owned by David Barzelay of Lazy Bear features an open-faced patty melt. — Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Best burgers in the Bay Area from the 2018 Top 100 restaurants," 12 June 2018

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