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

• bee
• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• 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

The warmth and possibility of this summer is bringing out the whimsy in all of us with floral dresses at the top of our list. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 July 2024

But the catchy music, cuddly critters and atmosphere of mischief and whimsy all remain in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. —Ryan Fish, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 June 2024

Her line, while not exactly basic, includes wearable clothes with a touch of whimsy. —Anita J. Finkelstein, WWD, 19 Aug. 2024

Despite their free-spirited whimsy, Rozier’s films are ultimately existential works, pondering the very basis of everyday life: How does anyone do anything? —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2024

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