fancy 1 of 3

Definition of fancynext

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

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
Filling out forms like a big, fancy autofill machine is one thing, and AI agents are quickly proving to be pretty good at that. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 Mini Moments The best mini dresses for casual weddings are elevated, but not overly fancy. — Corinne Pierre-Louis, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
If a basket strikes your fancy, look no further than Widener and Company, a small business in Maine that specializes in antiques and handcraft. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Blending clean lines with upholstered curves on the head and footboard, this bed frame will add a modern, slightly industrial touch to a bedroom if that suits your fancy. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
Verb
Speaking of singing pirates, Curry clearly fancied these kinds of roles, signing on to play the villainous Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996), Brian Henson’s musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 West Ham, Wolves and Burnley bring recent Premier League experience, while Middlesbrough, Southampton, Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield United are all fancied ahead of Wrexham for promotion. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • During their interviews, Haddock said the researchers found a lack of recognition by firefighters that their consumption levels were considered excessive.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Inland, southern San Bernardino County faces at least a 40% chance of excessive rain that could result in flash flooding through Saturday night, said Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • That said, even the most detailed traceability records have their limitations.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As detailed in a recent report in trade journal Builder, food and drink have become front and center at some properties.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There are cellars with vintages dating back to the 1880s and old wine caves covered in mildew and mold, which were a dream for a wine lover like me.
    — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Bilal, who wrote, directed and co-produced the film, said a French theatrical run was a dream come true.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • All of this makes the recent terminations tricky for OpenAI and shows that safety disclosures are still very much at the whims of the labs.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This flamboyantly ambitious novel, which takes place in a version of Atlanta known as Atlantis, follows the life of George Washington Jonson, a Black cop with a liking for white women.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats must decide whether to take the deal in front of them or, possibly with a congressional majority next year, craft a version more to their liking that may be met with staunch GOP opposition and, thus, gridlock purgatory yet again.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Welcome to Miyazawa’s fantastical world, where nature, imagination, and a quiet sense of morality coexist.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
  • De Brigard’s research shows just how intertwined our brain’s memory is with imagination.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • So imagine my surprise when the one innovation to stick — literally — turns out to be one marketed for men.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This imparts a drag on the star—imagine spinning around on your heels while holding an open trash bag; the bag will act like a parachute, slowing you.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Residents enjoy a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and endless opportunities on Lake Keowee, including boating, swimming, or simply quiet moments on the water.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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