whimsy

noun

ˈ(h)wim-zē How to pronounce whimsy (audio)
variants also whimsey
Definition of whimsynext
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action the pop singer's latest whimsy is that she has acting talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 whimsy The mood of the season was very much about rethinking everyday basics—and to inject your wardrobe with a fresh sense of whimsy and personality. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 July 2026 Of course, the matter is likely a publicity stunt or a bit of whimsy, rather than a serious attempt to use robots to beg for money. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Plus, the shed kit comes with flower boxes and shutters for even more whimsy. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 Consider sourcing a fun light shape that ties into your outdoor décor scheme or adds a bit of whimsy to your space. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimsy
  1. whim
  2. humor
  3. caprice
Noun
  • On the other hand, biodiversity is far too important an issue to be steered at once by the chaotic whims of Silicon Valley, the legal battles waged by environmental nonprofits, and the old, sclerotic levers of government bureaucracy.
    — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
  • By their very nature, pop-ups are fluid and subject to the whims of weather.
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of whim
Noun
  • Widdecombe’s death has shaken British politics, silencing a longtime conservative voice from Parliament and Europe who later became a Reform UK firebrand remembered by friends for personal warmth and sharp humor.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • The humor—dry, humane, occasionally absurd—is ever-present … The Vermont setting, spare and bracing, acts as a quiet amplifier of these idiosyncrasies, while Mason remains attuned to the natural world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of humor
Noun
  • However, the success of these provisions will depend on the caprice of local politics.
    — Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 29 June 2026
  • But statistics fail to convey the humanity of yard sales—the caprice, whimsy, and high spirits, as well as the cunning, weirdness, and heartbreak, that charge and thicken the air when two people agree to perform an off-the-books monetary transaction.
    — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of caprice

Browse Nearby Words

whimsies
whimsy
whim-whams
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimsy. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on whimsy

Nglish: Translation of whimsy for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All