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

But the whimsy gave way pretty quickly. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

Where to Eat in Anoka The Mad Hatter Enjoy a bit of whimsy on your trip to Anoka by booking an afternoon tea at The Mad Hatter. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

This delicate sweater with monochrome bows is perfect for the rapidly approaching holiday season and will add a bit of whimsy to your outfit. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

The best Korean makeup products boast similarly innovative formulas as their skin-care counterparts, acting as complexion multitaskers—often with imaginative packaging that adds points for function and whimsy. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 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