fancy 1 of 3

fancy

2 of 3

noun

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as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others to fans of Lewis Carroll, the animal creations of his fertile fancy are as real as any creature to be found at the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fancy

3 of 3

verb

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a fancy restaurant
an extravagant restaurant
a formal restaurant
a posh restaurant
a classy restaurant
a luxurious restaurant
fancy cars
flashy cars
lavish cars
snazzy cars
swanky cars
fancy clothes
formal clothes
glamorous clothes
dressy clothes
fabulous clothes
extravagant clothes

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fancy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fancy are conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When could conceive be used to replace fancy?

The words conceive and fancy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of fancy?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Where would imagine be a reasonable alternative to fancy?

The meanings of imagine and fancy largely overlap; however, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for fancy?

While the synonyms realize and fancy are close in meaning, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of fancy?

In some situations, the words think and fancy are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fancy
Adjective
And as everyone with a fancy cookbook knows, a complicated recipe—with ingredients and spices and sauces not otherwise in your larder—can sometimes cost as much as a night out on the town. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 May 2025 One thing for certain, Trusty said, is that the fancy cars, houses and planes that Combs has accumulated are in the prosecutors’ crosshairs, as are any of his companies that could broadly be construed as being part of the racketeering enterprise in the slightest of ways. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Noun
While the flashy, often unusual Alienware design won’t be for everyone, the HP Omen Max's more low-key appearance may tickle your fancy. Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 6 May 2025 Benedictine Sandwiches If a heavy Hot Browns isn’t your jam, especially on a warm spring day, the Derby has another traditional sandwich that may better suit your fancy. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
With a new core of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix fancied themselves as contenders, ready to score at will and propel themselves to basketball greatness on the strength of their offense. Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 The New England Patriots have long fancied themselves a smart football organization. Chad Graff, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • Related: Read our SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy guide for a detailed look $47.99 at Amazon Starship Die Cast Rocket Model Now $47.99 on Amazon.
    Tariq Malik, Space.com, 23 May 2025
  • Specialized Technologies, Equipment And Engineering Solutions Project Cargo demands the use of highly specialized equipment, selected and configured based on detailed engineering assessments.
    Umberto Cavallaro, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • These thunderstorms are producing an excessive amount of deadly cloud to ground lightning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
  • Among its findings were that Banks used excessive force and falsely imprisoned Myles; that Banks’ use of his dog violated Myles’ Fourth Amendment rights; that Banks and the county were both negligent; and that the county violated Myles’ civil rights by failing to properly train and supervise Banks.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Studying at Columbia—the home of such Palestinian scholars as Edward Said and Rashid Khalidi—had always been a dream of Khalil’s.
    Aida Alami, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
  • However, as humanity stands on the precipice of a technological revolution, particularly with the convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence the sustainability and viability of UBI as a global approach might no longer be a distant dream but a tangible reality.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
  • The scope of these enormous solar storms is important to understand for technology experts in the 21st century, which is much more vulnerable to the whims of the sun due to society's dependence on electronic systems and space technologies.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Sweeten it to your liking with dates, maple syrup, or not at all.
    Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • That's quite a compliment from the King of Horror, a man not known to keep mum if an adaptation of one of his works is not to his liking.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Think about what your family values about toys — their ability to teach and to ignite your kids’ imaginations while keeping them occupied for long stretches of time — and then commit to only bringing home toys that fit that criteria.
    Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 16 May 2025
  • Philadelphia captured everyone’s imagination with its Super Bowl beatdown of Kansas City and now is the NFL’s organizational measuring stick.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Xu began to imagine what this might mean for people with cancer if histotripsy activates the human immune system in a similar way.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The easiest life to imagine was the life of the man who ran the ferry.
    Patricia Lockwood, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • There are oysters of various species available, and from Thursday to Sunday 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, guests can enjoy a selection priced at $1.50, with gaufrettespotato chips, and a selection of red, white, rosé, and sparkling for $10 a glass.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Visitors can also enjoy a dozen dining options with cuisine inspired by the region, 24 bars, Mariachi performances and shopping from local artisans, according to a news release.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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