fantasy

noun

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fan·ta·sy | \ ˈfan-tə-sē

, -zē \

variants: or less commonly phantasy

plural fantasies

Definition of fantasy

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need an object of fantasy also : a mental image or a series of mental images (such as a daydream) so created sexual fantasies

2 : a creation of the imaginative faculty whether expressed or merely conceived: such as

a : a chimerical or fantastic notion His plans are pure fantasy.

b : imaginative fiction featuring especially strange settings and grotesque characters spent the summer reading fantasy

— called also fantasy fiction

c : fantasia sense 1 the organ fantasy of Johannes Brahms

d : a fanciful design or invention a fantasy of delicate tracery

3 : fancy especially : the free play of creative imagination

4 : caprice served to fulfill the king's fantasies

5 often attributive : a coin usually not intended for circulation as currency and often issued by a dubious authority (such as a government-in-exile)

6 obsolete : hallucination

fantasy

adjective

Definition of fantasy (Entry 2 of 3)

: of, relating to, or being a game in which participants create and manage imaginary teams consisting of players from a particular sport and scoring is based on the statistical performances of the actual players fantasy football

fantasy

verb

fantasied; fantasying

Definition of fantasy (Entry 3 of 3)

: fantasize

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fantasy

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Examples of fantasy in a Sentence

Noun His plans are pure fantasy. He can hardly tell the difference between fantasy and reality. His plans are just fantasies. Her fantasy is to be a film star. His plans are the product of pure fantasy. I spent my summer reading fantasies. Verb She regularly fantasied the moment of celebration after winning the gold medal.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The siege on the U.S. Capitol played out as a QAnon fantasy made real: The faithful rose up in their thousands, summoned to Washington by their leader, President Donald Trump. — Anchorage Daily News, "QAnon reshaped Trump’s party and radicalized believers. The Capitol siege may just be the start.," 13 Jan. 2021 But because the photography in fashion magazines tends toward glossy fantasy, politicians can run the risk of seeming haughty and elitist. — Marc Bain, Quartz, "Kamala Harris is on the cover of Vogue, and fashion critics are up in arms," 11 Jan. 2021 To say that people love this ‘80s romantic fantasy comedy would be a massive understatement. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, "The 100 Best Movies on Hulu Right Now," 9 Jan. 2021 Based on the Grishaverse novels by author Leigh Bardugo, Netflix is ambitiously bringing one of my favorite fantasy worlds to life. — Usa Today Staff, USA TODAY, "TV in 2021: What we're predicting (and anticipating) as the new year begins," 6 Jan. 2021 What starts out as heroic fantasy ends up as horror. — Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, "Complexity," 5 Jan. 2021 That’s certainly true at this poker fantasy camp in Las Vegas, run by Bay Area pro Phil Hellmuth. — Dave Murphy, SFChronicle.com, "A ‘retiring’ columnist on growing up and growing old, in six moments," 5 Jan. 2021 In short: This collection is a makeup minimalist's ultimate fantasy. — Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, "Rare Beauty's Spring Collection Is a Masterclass in Makeup Minimalism," 5 Jan. 2021 Carbone also guessed that the same contestant makes it into the final four, so the clip could be footage from a fantasy suite date. — Lydia Wang, refinery29.com, "Want Matt James Bachelor Spoilers? You’ll Have To Work For Them," 4 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Divinity: Original Sin 2 Further Reading Ars Technica’s best video games of 2017 If the two of you are already fantasy role-playing veterans, try Divinity: Original Sin 2. — Valentina Palladino And Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "15 co-op games to play with your partner this Valentine’s Day," 7 Feb. 2020 Injury concerns will continue to haunt him, but Cook (and his handcuff) will be fantasy gold for those with an early pick in 2020 drafts. — Tony Holm, USA TODAY, "Who's been naughty, nice to fantasy football owners in 2019?," 24 Dec. 2019 Allison was coming into his own during the 2018 season before suffering a season-ending injury, and now may find himself in position to be fantasy relevant again. — John Romero, The Denver Post, "Fantasy football cheat sheet: Week 5 injury updates on Davante Adams and Sam Darnold," 3 Oct. 2019 In most fantasy league setups, pass-rushing 3-4 OLBs like Khalil Mack and Von Miller are hugely devalued compared with linebackers who play in the middle. — Ross Miles, Sports Illustrated, "An Introductory Primer to IDP Leagues," 21 June 2019 The rankings reflect overall fantasy value in a standard 12-team, point-per-reception (PPR) league. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Fantasy football rankings: Top 200 overall players for 2019," 2 Aug. 2019 There's also a third Ameobi brother somewhere posing the very real and definitely not fantasy notion of the world's first three-man fraternal management team. — SI.com, "Newcastle: 10 Managerial Candidates Mike Ashley (Probably) Considered Before Steve Bruce," 19 July 2019 Of the group, Verdugo and Pederson probably offer the most fantasy appeal, since Hernandez is a .207/.264/.333 career hitter against right-handed pitching. — Brian Rudd, USA TODAY, "Injuries give young players opportunity," 9 May 2018 Of the group, Verdugo and Pederson probably offer the most fantasy appeal, since Hernandez is a .207/.264/.333 career hitter against right-handed pitching. — Brian Rudd, USA TODAY, "Injuries give young players opportunity," 9 May 2018

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

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Last Updated

20 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fantasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasy. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for fantasy

fantasy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fantasy

: something that is produced by the imagination : an idea about doing something that is far removed from normal reality

: the act of imagining something

: a book, movie, etc., that tells a story about things that happen in an imaginary world

See the full definition for fantasy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fantasy

noun

fan·ta·sy | \ ˈfan-tə-sē, -zē \

plural fantasies

Kids Definition of fantasy

1 : imagination sense 1 The plan was a product of pure fantasy.

2 : something produced by the imagination His fantasy is to win a million dollars.

fantasy

noun

fan·ta·sy

variants: also phantasy \ ˈfant-ə-sē

, -zē

plural fantasies

Medical Definition of fantasy

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need an object of fantasy also : a mental image or a series of mental images (as a daydream) so created sexual fantasies of adolescence

fantasy

verb

variants: also phantasy

fantasied; fantasying

Medical Definition of fantasy (Entry 2 of 2)

: fantasize

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