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

Its whimsy is only elevated by its playful pattern in a timeless palette of iris and sky blue. —Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

There’s got to be some some whimsy about it. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Can’t wait to experience their whimsy IRL? —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026

But rather than allow that foundational genre of American music to languish in novelty, Ragger urge a reconsideration of ragtime’s entrenched perception as pure whimsy. —Aly Eleanor, Pitchfork, 19 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