fantasia

noun fan·ta·sia \ fan-ˈtā-zhə , -zhē-ə , -zē-ə ; ˌfan-tə-ˈzē-ə \

|Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of fantasia

1 : a free usually instrumental composition not in strict form

2 a : a work (such as a poem or play) in which the author's fancy roves unrestricted

b : something possessing grotesque, bizarre, or unreal qualities

See fantasia defined for kids

Recent Examples of fantasia from the Web

With that in mind, Town & Country created a feast and a corresponding fashion fantasia the likes of which have never been seen before.

— max vadukul, Town & Country, "A Very Merry Band: When Fashion Meets the Feast," 28 Nov. 2017
Be they human or alien, everyone’s trying to score something in this seminal downtown punk fantasia, restored to optimum glitter-and-skeeze for a new century.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "10 movies to see in Chicago this summer," 2 May 2018
The movie is Steven Spielberg’s attempt to plug himself back into the zeitgeist with a rip-roaring, cutting-edge, virtual-reality action fantasia.

— michael andor brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "The Weekender: Lost dogs, emo foxes, and Easter bunnies," 29 Mar. 2018
Garland and company create an intoxicatingly weird fantasia, beautifully photographed by Rob Hardy, that’s genuinely head spinning.

— jake coyle, Detroit Free Press, "Review: ‘Annihilation’ is a trippy feast for the eyes and mind," 22 Feb. 2018
If the store seems like a luxury fantasia, that’s the point.

— cam wolf, GQ, "Bottega Veneta Bets That You Still Want to Shop in a Store," 11 Feb. 2018
This sunny spirit surely comes in handy when he is stuck in D.C., with nothing to do but tweet infuriating fantasias that may be an indication of delusions the slaphappy Dr. Jackson didn’t catch.

— lynn yaeger, Vogue, "Trump’s Anniversary Gift: A Government Shutdown," 21 Jan. 2018
Kerrigan’s half of the show, without Seimetz’s attention to character work, is an icy fantasia of unfettered capitalism, in which every relationship—professional or personal—involves someone abusing their power.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Bleak World of The Girlfriend Experience," 5 Nov. 2017
On the menu: beet fantasia, wagyu ribeye with bone marrow custard, and—decadence alert—black truffles (on the menu til mid-March).

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Inn at Little Washington," 20 Oct. 2017

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