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

Pair that with viewers lusting after a sociopathic stalker, fantasizing about Joe's killer looks. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Some accounts fantasize that Trump’s college-age son, Barron, is running it. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025

There was space to breathe and to fantasize and to visualize. —Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2025

Sure, Timothy stole a gun and fantasized about killing his wife and son, but the gun is gone. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fantasy entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for fantasize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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