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
• humor
• caprice

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

Richard Scarry's beloved books, including Busy, Busy World, are enjoying a resurgence as adults who grew up with the author's work try to find the whimsy in their day-to-day lives. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy. —New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026

How to Embrace Whimsymaxxing at Home Embracing whimsy at home is a personal journey, but whimsymaxxing invites you to go all in. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

Jonathan Adler's creations embody a sense of whimsy that fans of his designs flock to for color, joy and a vibrant sense of individuality often lacking in more neutral spaces. —Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 17 Apr. 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