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

The Anthropologie Oval Office Known for a bohemian aesthetic and upscale whimsy, mixing Anthropologie with Oval Office may be more unexpected than some other designs. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

No matter the age, most enjoy the whimsy of a snowy scene, and with an antique brass finish, this lantern style is reminiscent of times of old. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025

Simone Rocha brought her sense of sartorial whimsy to the Franca Fund Gala in Doha, Qatar on Sunday with (faux) furry footwear of her own design. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025

Human brains are hardwired for this kind of whimsy. —Calum Lister Matheson, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 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