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

In The Faraway Inn, Durst returns to YA fiction, bringing the whimsy of her cozy fantasy work to a younger audience. —Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026

But then the tree house was not designed for beauty, or enjoyment, or whimsy. —Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

This garden bench adds a touch of vintage whimsy to any outdoor area. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

The design-forward space evokes the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City with a dash of whimsy courtesy of a blue-sky ceiling mural. —Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 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