fancy 1 of 3

fancy

2 of 3

noun

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4
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
Meanwhile, the ruching in the front and back adds some drama, so feel free to wear this strapless rayon and nylon dress—with an invisible zipper and side pockets—to weddings, on dinner dates, and for fancy vacation activities. Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2025 Wear them to a multitude of summer events like fancy dinners and outdoor concerts. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 26 July 2025
Noun
This deep $700 discount will easily cover the cost of a monitor and even some peripherals like a headset and mouse—whatever tickles your fancy. Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025 So while so much is the same in fashion, there’s always a little something new to catch Jacob’s fancy. James Manso, Footwear News, 4 June 2025
Verb
Some of the sprinters won’t be able to hang on; those that do will fancy their chances of victory. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 July 2025 Mundo Deportivo reported that head coach Hansi Flick fancies a reunion with Ivan Perisic, but that won’t clash with anticipated pursuits of either Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford or Liverpool’s Luis Diaz were a potential free transfer involving the Croatian to take place. Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • In the case of Venus in Gemini squaring Mars in Virgo, imagine craving a spontaneous road trip (Gemini) but insisting on a detailed itinerary (Virgo).
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 23 July 2025
  • In a recent presentation at Salesforce's London DX conference, one session showed how AI can look at a Salesforce configuration, draw the process diagrams for an area and then identify agentic use cases based on a detailed framework.
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Whether your hair is naturally dry or parched from excessive color treatments and heat styling, brittle strands are a stubborn bummer.
    Annie Blackman, Glamour, 14 July 2025
  • Early signs include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy and weakness.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • You might feel called to profess your love, take next steps in your relationship, or start building your dream life in some actionable way.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
  • For us, the dream meal starts with their heirloom tomato gazpacho, a pitch-perfect pairing of sweet and tangy.
    Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Yet, how can true agility be achieved when the very tools and platforms meant to empower us simultaneously bind us to the whims of a select few?
    Rajat Bhargava, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The health and safety of our communities should not hang on the whim of a political ideologue.
    Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Avs coach Jared Bednar took a bit of a liking to him last year before the suspension.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 July 2025
  • Neeson recalls taking an immediate liking to the idea of starring in a Naked Gun reboot.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Such unlikely, but highly consequential possibilities are hardest to foresee due to human bias, but grappling with them can expand strategic imagination and foster more adaptive, option-rich planning.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 11 July 2025
  • Social media has become much of the atmosphere in the telling and digestion of crimes in the American public’s imagination of them.
    Jim Halterman, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Now imagine tasking one as the first to capture the chaos, confusion and total lack of kayfabe backstage.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
  • Nicole, still thinking of her own mother, could not imagine losing both parents at the same time.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Crossword puzzles offer a fantastic opportunity to engage your mind, enjoy leisure time, and test your knowledge simultaneously.
    Sally Hoelscher, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Travelers can enjoy Paris without overspending by timing trips for the off-season, booking early, and skipping touristy hotspots.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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