whimsy

noun

whim·​sy ˈ(h)wim-zē How to pronounce whimsy (audio)
variants or less commonly whimsey
plural whimsies also whimseys
1
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Director Kogonada, who previously guided Farrell in After Yang, is going for alternate melancholy and whimsy, an uneven blend of introspective drama and high-concept fantasy that feels a bit lost in translation and doesn’t quite work the way it was intended. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025 Scatter these colorful butterflies among your usual fall decor to add extra whimsy. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025 The manicure is equal parts delicate and dramatic; the pink is light and sweet, and the rhinestones add texture and whimsy. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 15 Sep. 2025 Kodak's latest camera is an adorable little package of whimsy that can also make for a thoughtful gift. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whimsy

Word History

Etymology

irregular from whim-wham

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whimsy was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whimsy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

whimsy

noun
whim·​sy
variants also whimsey
ˈhwim-zē How to pronounce whimsy (audio)
ˈwim-
plural whimsies also whimseys
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on whimsy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!