fantasize

verb

fan·​ta·​size ˈfan-tə-ˌsīz 

fantasized; fantasizing

intransitive verb

: to indulge in reverie : to create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views or ideas

doing things I'd fantasized about in my sheltered childhood

—Diane Arbus

transitive verb

: to portray in the mind : fancy

likes to fantasize herself as very wealthy

fantasizer

ˈfan-tə-ˌsī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• conceit [chiefly dialect]
• conceive
• conjure (up)
• dream
• envisage
• envision
• fancy
• fantasy
• feature
• ideate
• image
• imagine
• picture
• see
• vision
• visualize

Examples of fantasize in a Sentence

She fantasized that she had won a million dollars.

all those lottery players fantasizing themselves as living in extravagant luxury

Recent Examples on the Web

Foxx fantasized about ordering an Apple Crisp Macchiato once Starbucks can reopen. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024

Generational health gives us a pragmatic lens to invest at critical scientific intersections that have been fantasized, yet ignored. —Sanskriti Thakur, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Plenty of us dream about, read about, and fantasize about fairy-tale endings. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2024

Some of us may have fantasized about living with our childhood best friends, but Full House showed us that any family life has its highs and lows. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

fantasy entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Medical Definition

fantasize

verb

fan·​ta·​size

variants or British fantasise

ˈfant-ə-ˌsīz 

fantasized or British fantasised; fantasizing or British fantasising

intransitive verb

: to indulge in fantasy : create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views or ideas

fantasizes about running away from home

transitive verb

: to portray in the mind by fantasy

likes to fantasize herself as very famous