whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim 

1

: a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy

quit his job on a whim

2

: a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water

Synonyms

• bee
• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• whimsy
• whimsey

Choose the Right Synonym for whim

caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire.

caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Examples of whim in a Sentence

It's hard to predict voters' whims.

on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Recent Examples on the Web

The point is that so often we’re led by obligation or expectation, when really we should be led by our own whims and predilections. —Daisy Jones, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

Dylan the trickster conspired with Scorsese to make up stuff according to whim. —Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Not knowing which country the event's most important matches will be played underlines cricket being handcuffed to the whims of money-spinner India, whose power might be heightened by the ascension of former boss Jay Shah running the sport's affairs globally. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Tóth struggles with Van Buren’s whims but must maintain the artist-patron relationship in order to see the project through. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for whim-wham

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whim

• at the whim of (someone)
• on a whim
• satisfy someone's every whim
• whim-wham

Kids Definition

whim

noun

ˈhwim 

ˈwim

: an odd or sudden wish, desire, or change of mind