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

Americans’ fundamental equal rights should not depend on the whims of states. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2024

But perhaps the Icelandic view on the whims of mother nature is necessary when living on the rift of two tectonic plates, alongside 32 active volcanoes that erupt every 3 to 6 years. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2024

While Zara wants to be a Hollywood agent, she’s quite literally stuck in rush hour traffic most of the time while catering to her A-list actor boss Chris Cole’s (Efron) every whim. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 27 June 2024

Deaths, incarcerations, and the whims of streaming and radio slowed a lot of this momentum. —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 20 June 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