fancy 1 of 3

fancy

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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

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
If fancy smells aren’t your thing, there’s also a fragrance-free version. Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 Shapermint shapewear Shapermint offers size-inclusive shapewear designed for everyday wear – from long workdays and fancy nights out. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
While some old businesses have closed due to high rents and fewer local shoppers, several new fancy — and casual — restaurants and stores have recently opened, bringing fresh buzz. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 Take a scroll through the look book and see what strikes your fancy! Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Not simply between humans, who fancy themselves the center of the universe, but between any living thing? Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • The collection includes 3,100 black-and-white images taken in nearly 300 villages, towns, and cities around the country as well as the negatives and detailed data sheets describing construction techniques, materials, and historical context for each building.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Leafs coach Craig Berube did not provide a detailed update on Nylander’s possible injury.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Its bladeless construction is designed to pull in air and powerfully circulate it around the room, all without accumulating excessive dust like standard fans do—a double plus in my book.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
  • And although its fats are healthy, excessive intake can still contribute to unwanted pounds.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But if so, that original dream did not last long in the face of the torrent of money that soon started flooding his way.
    Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Star Kenzi Richardson spoke with Parents about her adventures portraying a teen vampire and making her dreams come true on Disney Channel.
    Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike the reception or other pre-wedding events that feature traditional elements like speeches or cake cutting, the after-party is a celebration that can be crafted entirely according to the whims of the couple.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Still, one of the goals of the legislation, at least in theory, is for affordable-housing development to rely less on the whims of individual politicians.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • If the indigo color isn’t to your liking, there’s also red, gray, burgundy, black, and brown.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The spicy oil is the right amount of spice for my liking.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Leaders who embrace it — by giving agency, reframing emotions and designing for imagination — are closer to breeding resilience and innovation.
    Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Every scam didn’t need a clever mastermind; in fact, many seemed to somehow spring from a collective imagination.
    Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With unpredictable twists and emotions running high, this Halloween is especially chaotic, and Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — can't imagine what's in store.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the continental United States—used to be packed with oysters, more than anyone today might imagine.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Avery is very quickly excluded from the suspect pool thanks to the time stamp on a photo of her and her father enjoying dinner together on their own at a local diner.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Both ends of the leash will simply enjoy having people pet the therapy dog, chat with the handler, try to calm their nerves before running their big race, and, hopefully, have a significant, measurable feeling of relaxation.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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