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
The small table was crowded with bottles of sparkling San Pellegrino and fancy saucières filled with every sauce and condiment on offer. Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Strawberry Crème Savers Cream Savers combined fruity flavors with rich cream for a candy that tasted surprisingly fancy. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
And then just see what strikes your fancy and what inspires you. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Varieties There are thousands of different hostas in an array of colors and patterns, so one is sure to strike your fancy. Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026
Verb
The region’s data centers are important not only to the US military and AI industries but also to the Gulf region, which fancied itself a third global AI hub, along with the United States and China. David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 Either way, this is a dangerous way for a team that fancies itself as a perennial contender to annually live. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • Carrying five tight ends is excessive, so there probably won’t be room for Fidone unless Theo Johnson’s shoulder injury is more serious than initially believed.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Interestingly, patient education level or excessive punctuation had little impact.
    Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There are no surprises, only faithful responses to the driver’s inputs and an abundance of detailed feedback.
    Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • To get a better understanding of who this individual was, researchers have spent the past few years conducting a detailed analysis of the remains’ DNA and isotopes, and the chemical properties of the metallic artefacts and the decorative band.
    Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the Young Bucks will challenge Adam Copeland and Christian Cage for the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a dream match between teams from different generations.
    Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pop, in making his dream a reality, became a hero and a torchbearer.
    Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Telling the world every thought and creative whim built him a following.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But an outdoor garden, no matter how beautiful and lovingly designed or how innovatively used in the menu, is susceptible to the whims of Miami’s humid, rainy, extraordinarily lengthy summers.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The best kids basketball sets This set will encourage your kids to remain active and develop a liking for the game of basketball.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • If none of those finalists are to his liking, Johnson can direct the process to begin again.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Anna Watson’s lighting keeps much of the house just dim enough to make the imagination dangerous, while Tony winner Gareth Fry’s sound design surrounds the audience with ominous noises whose sources aren’t always immediately clear.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the archetypal influencer in our cultural imagination is not a man reviewing watches on YouTube or hosting a podcast from his studio in Austin.
    Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Companies are imagining what AI might make possible, and making moves before fully understanding how to get there.
    Maria Colacurcio, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Superstitious Romans imagined demons lurking in the darkness under the toilet seats.
    Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Her teachers enjoyed her drawings and left her alone to make them.
    Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, the collaboration enjoys enormous gains on two other lists.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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