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 of fantasize

• imagine
• envision
• see
• dream

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

There was always a small part of him that fantasized about leaving it all behind and going to live off the grid. —Steven Rowley, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Waddingham is less enthused about the idea of Ted (played by Sudeikis) and Rebecca hooking up, despite some of the fan base fantasizing about the prospect. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 30 May 2026

Don’t just fantasize about summer happy hours with your girls. —Sunnah Rasheed, InStyle, 25 May 2026

That created doubt, and that doubt led people to at least fantasize about thinking about different paths. —Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

fantasy entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for fantasize

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

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