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

For a pop of whimsy: Add a pattern featuring botanicals, birds or other animals. —Sami Sparber, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024

Illustrations throughout echo her childhood love of classic characters like Eloise (at the Plaza) and Madeline, leaning into her ethos that adults deserve a little whimsy, too. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024

Now, the whimsy and joy sparked by the fish pond, which is only a few inches deep, is having an outsized effect on the community, Bed-Stuy residents told USA TODAY. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024

Red Herring, located at Hotel Herringbone, incorporates whimsy and sophistication in its mod 70s lounge. —Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 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