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 fantasies sexual encounters that she knows will never happen

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun An extraordinary fantasy was displayed in roof styling: some roofs were like mushrooms, many imitated Irish thatch and the shape of others was inspired by Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread house. — Ruth Franklin, Harper's magazine, "Salka the Salonnière," 6 Jan. 2020 First Stage revives John Glore's adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's classic science fantasy novel about a girl who travels through time and space to rescue her father. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "20 enticing Milwaukee concerts and shows in early 2020," 2 Jan. 2020 The future looked uncertain for the fantasy sports startup two years ago after regulators blocked its proposed merger with rival FanDuel. — BostonGlobe.com, "Riding high," 2 Jan. 2020 Ms Wilson’s Kay crosses the threshold between reality and fantasy; between waking life and a snowbound dreamland. — The Economist, "A new retelling of “The Snow Queen” is aimed squarely at adults," 31 Dec. 2019 The Wheel of Time (TBD, Amazon): An adaptation of the Robert Jordan fantasy book series of the same name. — Adam Epstein, Quartz, "All the movies and TV shows you need to know about in 2020," 31 Dec. 2019 Out went the kitchen and every bathroom, to be replaced with the family’s fantasy versions. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, House Beautiful, "How the Editor of Good Housekeeping Renovated a Gorgeous Victorian House," 30 Dec. 2019 With this development, though, The Mandalorian deepened its take on a defining trope of the broader Star Wars franchise—and of the larger fantasy genre that drives so much modern entertainment. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Mandalorian Knows Why Heroes Wear Masks," 30 Dec. 2019 Of all the happenings and unhappenings that shaped the last decade of science fiction and fantasy literature—a tumult of transformation—two rise well above the rest. — Jason Kehe, Wired, "The 20 Best Books of a Decade That Unmade Genre Fiction," 29 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective 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 And if there’s anything fantasy baseball owners don’t like, it’s uncertainty. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Fantasy baseball: Spring training brings uncertainty for owners," 6 Mar. 2018 And that brings us to Kelce’s biggest fantasy nemesis: Alex Smith. — John Paulsen, SI.com, "After Rob Gronkowski, Should I Draft Travis Kelce or Jordan Reed in Fantasy Football?," 19 Aug. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb What should fantasy football owners think about Lamar Jackson? — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Scout’s Take: Insider Fantasy Football Analysis for Every NFL Team," 4 July 2019 Who can fantasy owners find to take Hoskins' place? — Usa Today Sports, USA TODAY, "Fantasy baseball chat with Brent Hershey: Thursday at noon ET," 30 May 2018 From fantasy hot commodity to fantasy goat in the span of a week, Henry did not see much time on the field, rushing just six times for 7 yards vs. the stout Texans defense. — Tony Holm, USA TODAY, "Fantasy sizzlers and fizzlers: Deshaun Watson does it all," 2 Oct. 2017

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

10 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Fantasy.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasy. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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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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