whimsy

noun

whim·​sy ˈ(h)wim-zē 

variants or less commonly whimsey

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy

3

: a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Synonyms of whimsy

• whim
• humor
• caprice

Examples of whimsy in a Sentence

The designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy.

a bit of decorative whimsy

Recent Examples on the Web

The Colbans have resisted acquisition by a conglomerate, which might want to turn the house’s whimsy into something more global along the lines of Hermès. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 24 Mar. 2026

One of the defining joys of current fragrance trends is the shift toward whimsy and experimentation—less pressure to commit to a single, signature pick and more room to explore. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026

There is no shortage of extravagant beachfront villas in the Caribbean, but this one distinguishes itself by combining the best of neo-classical design with a touch of whimsy. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026

That freshness features big on the menu as well, alongside the whimsy of Disney’s take on the Lewis Carroll classic. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

irregular from whim-wham

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whimsy

noun

whim·​sy

variants also whimsey

ˈhwim-zē 

ˈwim-

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line of swimwear showed a touch of whimsy

3

: an imaginative or fantastic object or creation especially in a piece of writing or art