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

• humor
• notion
• whim
• impression
• fantasy
• vagary
• caprice
• bee
• vagrancy
• kink
• whimsicality
• fancy
• megrim
• maggot

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

Nearly four decades after its release, Labyrinth continues to captivate not just because of its dazzling visuals or iconic performances, but because of the emotional truths buried beneath its whimsy and shadows. —Logan Karlie september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025

Earthy greens, rich browns, muted neutrals, and deep blues let a cabin harmonize with its surroundings, while an unexpected accent color, such as a rust red or golden yellow, introduces a touch of fairytale-esque whimsy. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025

As the first pop headliner at the Las Vegas Sphere, Backstreet Boys were able to bring a brand-new sense of fun, nostalgia and Y2K whimsy to the cutting-edge venue. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025

Ghost has long been a rap surrealist, imbuing one of hip-hop’s most no-nonsense scenes, gritty New York rap, with a streak of vibrance and borderline whimsy. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2025

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