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

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

Plastic yard flamingos add a touch of whimsy to this garden. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026

Here are 11 décor items to look for when thrifting to add instant whimsy to any room in your home. —Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026

Fortune Cookie Martini The Super Bowl beverage menu, which ranges in price from $19 to $22, mixes creativity with whimsy, including with Chinatown’s Fortune Cookie Martini. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026

While the design here is emphatically traditional, a dose of modern whimsy comes through with a dangling, multi-floor chandelier loosely inspired by jellyfish. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 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