Definition of whim
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
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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 of whim from the Web
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These two wave technicians must deal with a complicated mix of machinery and Mother Nature’s whims.
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On a whim, the Vietnam combat veteran went to a San Diego reading of the names listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
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Taking a creative approach to Slovenian tradition, the set menus here change every week to follow the seasons (or the whims of chefs Luka Nagode and Urška Dvoraček).
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But Planned Parenthood–funding sales are far from limited to the occasional whims of progressive politicians and their most dedicated celebrity supporters.
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Musk seems to have started the Boring Company on a whim less than eight months ago.
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Thanks to our iPhones and social media, it's become easier and easier to weave in and out of one someone's life on a whim.
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On a whim: That is how a 33-year-and-counting tradition began for Dan and Jeanne Prueher of Stoughton in 1983.
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That is where the regularity of Red Hog’s chalkboard menu ends; however, the remaining items changing based upon the chef’s whim.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of whim
short for whim-wham
Synonym Discussion of whim
WHIM Defined for English Language Learners
whim
playDefinition of whim for English Language Learners
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: a sudden wish, desire, decision, etc.
WHIM Defined for Kids
whim
playDefinition of whim for Students
: a sudden wish or desire : a sudden change of mind
Learn More about whim
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See words that rhyme with whim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whim Spanish Central: Translation of whim Nglish: Translation of whim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of whim for Arabic speakers
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