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 of whim

• notion
• caprice
• thought
• vagary
• whimsy
• fantasy
• fancy
• impression

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 similarities between the two presidential regimes, where the whims of a central figure hold immense power, were unmistakable. —Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026

In a video posted on her Instagram Stories, Dunne was spotted in the right-handed batter’s box braving some pitches by Skenes, who can hit triple digits with his fastball at a whim. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026

Caimor’s wealthiest citizens can transfer their Pith, or consciousness, into a chassis, or new body, modified to their every whim… or the poor but terminally ill, like nine-year-old Anabelle, can be transferred into a black-market, stock-model Edgar body in order to save her life. —Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026

The story of how Liam Nachawati became one of the top young drivers in the country began with something of a whim. —Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for whim

• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb
• mim
• prim
• rim

Kids Definition

whim

noun

ˈhwim 

ˈwim

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