fan·cy
ˈfan(t)-sē 
fancied; fancying
1
: to have a fancy (see fancy entry 2 sense 1) for : like
He's all right, I suppose, but I can't say that I fancy him.
2
: to form a conception of : imagine
fancy our embarrassment
Just fancy my surprise when I heard that he was getting married.
3
a
: to believe mistakenly or without evidence
b
: to believe without being certain
she fancied she had met him before
real or fancied wrongs
4
: to visualize or interpret as
fancied myself a child again
plural fancies
1
a
: a liking formed by caprice rather than reason : inclination
took a fancy to the mutt
b
: amorous fondness : love
She took a fancy to the young man.
3
archaic
: fantastic quality or state
4
a
: imagination especially of a capricious or delusive sort
His plans to build a new stadium are the product of pure fancy.
b
: the power of conception and representation used in artistic expression (as by a poet)
6
a
: devotees of some particular art, practice, or amusement
b
: the object of interest of such a fancy
especially
: boxing entry 1
fancier; fanciest
1
: dependent or based on fancy : whimsical
2
a(1)
: not plain : ornamental
a fancy hairdo
(2)
: swank sense 2, posh
a fancy restaurant
b(1)
: of particular excellence or highest grade
fancy tuna
(2)
: impressive
posted some fancy numbers
c
of an animal or plant
: bred especially for bizarre or ornamental qualities that lack practical utility
3
: based on conceptions of the fancy
fancy sketches
4
a
: dealing in fancy goods
b
: extravagant
paying fancy prices
5
: executed with technical skill and style
fancy footwork
fancy diving
6
: parti-color
fancy carnations
Synonyms
Verb
- conceit [chiefly dialect]
- conceive
- conjure (up)
- dream
- envisage
- envision
- fantasize
- fantasy
- feature
- ideate
- image
- imagine
- picture
- see
- vision
- visualize
Noun
- chimera
- conceit
- daydream
- delusion
- dream
- fantasy
- phantasy
- figment
- hallucination
- illusion
- nonentity
- phantasm
- fantasm
- pipe dream
- unreality
- vision
Adjective
Examples of fancy in a Sentence
Verb
Which horse do you fancy in the Derby?
try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India
Noun
His plans to build a new stadium are the product of pure fancy.
Critics have dismissed his plan as mere fancy.
Adjective
He drives a big, fancy car.
we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy
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Recent Examples on the Web
Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
Reports are that Rupert Murdoch fancies Youngkin, as does former Attorney General Bill Barr.
—Norman J. Ornstein, The New Republic, 31 Oct. 2023
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had always fancied himself his country’s Churchill and kept a framed portrait of Britain’s wartime leader near his desk, next to one of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023
To anyone reading this who fancies a career as a showrunner, don’t do it that way!
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Oct. 2023
With nobody fancying his chances, Mikey places a hefty bet on himself with a neighborhood bookie.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Sep. 2023
From May 15 to May 21, those fancying chicken could take advantage of a one-time deal to order a free crispy chicken sandwich or a crispy chicken BLT with a $10 in-app purchase.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
And what about the passengers starting a riot at the luggage claim area or the folks who fancy themselves the line police?
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
America likes to fancy itself the land of second chances.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Gabriel N. Rosenberg, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Serve it over spaghetti, in a tortilla with eggs and more condiments, over cornbread or, well, however else suits your fancy.
—Julie Giuffrida, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
The Dijon elevates the flavor to somewhere near fancy, while the Siracha chili sauce adds the kick that every dinner guest craves.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
After it’s cooked, a quick flip reveals the meat, which is then layered with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and any other burger toppings that meet your fancy.
—Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2023
The aristocratic poet in colonial England whose childlike fancy guides his centuries-long adventure (time passes in the novel but Orlando, the character, doesn’t age) represented trans people before a vocabulary around the identity became more established.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2023
Set everything out, and everybody can fix the tacos with whatever takes their fancy.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2023
Given to one’s date before the dance, a mum is essentially a giant, over-the-top corsage featuring lots of ribbon, glitter and whatever else strikes your fancy at the local craft store.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023
If that feeling describes you right now, Netflix has a new movie that will totally strike your fancy (while also providing some super beautiful scenic shots for you to ooh and aah over).
—Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 31 July 2023
Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
If the culture and fancy office aren’t enough for some workers, there are also financial perks that seem to be getting rarer for the rest of the nation’s workforce.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
The acts recreated the mood of the song’s music video, donning fancy outfits and surrounding themselves with musicians in tuxedos and women in red dresses.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Nov. 2023
Behind its fancy screens, Hernández’s set is wide, shallow, and mostly bare, and Meryl’s epic tale is fashioned out of scrappy items from the acting class — folding chairs and gaffer tape.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2023
The dazzling lot features a rare pair of fancy vivid orange-yellow diamonds of 12.20 and 11.96 carats, alongside oval and marquise brilliant-cut diamonds.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Appreciate The Glitz Of Third Street South Just a few blocks away from downtown, stroll past the colorful cottages and mansions in the fancy Third Street South neighborhood and shopping district.
—Kara Franker, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023
And despite the fancy names, each recipe is easy enough for beginners and wraps up in about 30 minutes, all without compromising on flavor.
—Shanna Shipin, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023
Along with a slew of other fancy five-star ingredients, like ceramides, resveratrol, truffle extracts, platinum extracts, and pea proteins, this creamy treatment can be used as a pre-conditioner or post-shampoo rinse-off that promotes shine and strength.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023
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Verb
Find it on Amazon From Seed to Zen: The Bonsai Journey Awaits
Ever fancied the idea of playing god… with a tree?
—Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
Reports are that Rupert Murdoch fancies Youngkin, as does former Attorney General Bill Barr.
—Norman J. Ornstein, The New Republic, 31 Oct. 2023
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had always fancied himself his country’s Churchill and kept a framed portrait of Britain’s wartime leader near his desk, next to one of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023
To anyone reading this who fancies a career as a showrunner, don’t do it that way!
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Oct. 2023
With nobody fancying his chances, Mikey places a hefty bet on himself with a neighborhood bookie.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Sep. 2023
From May 15 to May 21, those fancying chicken could take advantage of a one-time deal to order a free crispy chicken sandwich or a crispy chicken BLT with a $10 in-app purchase.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
And what about the passengers starting a riot at the luggage claim area or the folks who fancy themselves the line police?
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
America likes to fancy itself the land of second chances.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Noun
These ironies circle a more fundamental tension between the boots’ function and their fancy.
—Gabriel N. Rosenberg, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Serve it over spaghetti, in a tortilla with eggs and more condiments, over cornbread or, well, however else suits your fancy.
—Julie Giuffrida, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
The Dijon elevates the flavor to somewhere near fancy, while the Siracha chili sauce adds the kick that every dinner guest craves.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
After it’s cooked, a quick flip reveals the meat, which is then layered with cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and any other burger toppings that meet your fancy.
—Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2023
The aristocratic poet in colonial England whose childlike fancy guides his centuries-long adventure (time passes in the novel but Orlando, the character, doesn’t age) represented trans people before a vocabulary around the identity became more established.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2023
Set everything out, and everybody can fix the tacos with whatever takes their fancy.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Oct. 2023
Given to one’s date before the dance, a mum is essentially a giant, over-the-top corsage featuring lots of ribbon, glitter and whatever else strikes your fancy at the local craft store.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023
If that feeling describes you right now, Netflix has a new movie that will totally strike your fancy (while also providing some super beautiful scenic shots for you to ooh and aah over).
—Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 31 July 2023
Adjective
If Fincher has since gotten too fancy with his choice of material, there’s always the possibility of that flash returning.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023
If the culture and fancy office aren’t enough for some workers, there are also financial perks that seem to be getting rarer for the rest of the nation’s workforce.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
The acts recreated the mood of the song’s music video, donning fancy outfits and surrounding themselves with musicians in tuxedos and women in red dresses.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Nov. 2023
Behind its fancy screens, Hernández’s set is wide, shallow, and mostly bare, and Meryl’s epic tale is fashioned out of scrappy items from the acting class — folding chairs and gaffer tape.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2023
The dazzling lot features a rare pair of fancy vivid orange-yellow diamonds of 12.20 and 11.96 carats, alongside oval and marquise brilliant-cut diamonds.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023
Appreciate The Glitz Of Third Street South Just a few blocks away from downtown, stroll past the colorful cottages and mansions in the fancy Third Street South neighborhood and shopping district.
—Kara Franker, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023
And despite the fancy names, each recipe is easy enough for beginners and wraps up in about 30 minutes, all without compromising on flavor.
—Shanna Shipin, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023
Along with a slew of other fancy five-star ingredients, like ceramides, resveratrol, truffle extracts, platinum extracts, and pea proteins, this creamy treatment can be used as a pre-conditioner or post-shampoo rinse-off that promotes shine and strength.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fancy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English fantasien, fantesien, fancyen "to plan, devise, create, form (an idea), imagine (something false), desire," in part derivative of fantasie, fantsy, fansey fancy entry 2, in part borrowed from Middle French fantasier "to imagine, invent," verbal derivative of fantasie fantasy entry 1
Noun
Middle English fantasie, fantsy, fansey "the imagination as a faculty, mental image produced by this faculty, deluded notion, figment of the imagination, preference directed by caprice rather than reason, liking" — more at fantasy entry 1
Note: The disyllabic form, a rare variant of fantasie fantasy entry 1 in Middle English, became more common and began to separate in sense from fantasie/fantasy in early Modern English.
Adjective
from attributive use of fancy entry 2
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fancy was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing fancy
Articles Related to fancy
Dictionary Entries Near fancy
Cite this Entry
“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
fancy
2 of 3 noun
fan·cy
ˈfan(t)-sē
plural fancies
fancy
3 of 3 adjective
fancier; fanciest
1
: based on fancy : unpredictable
2
a
: not plain : ornamental
b
: of particular excellence
c
: bred especially for a showy appearance
a fancy goldfish
3
: done with great skill and grace
fancy footwork
More from Merriam-Webster on fancy
Nglish: Translation of fancy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fancy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fancy
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