noun

whimsy

WIHM-zee

Whimsy (noun) means a playful, quaint, or fanciful quality; also, a passing fanciful idea. Example: “The garden was decorated with little touches of whimsy, like painted gnomes and a crooked signpost.”

noun

A playful, quaint, or fanciful quality; also, a passing fanciful idea.

"The garden was decorated with little touches of whimsy, like painted gnomes and a crooked signpost."

"His novels are known for their whimsy and gentle humour."

How to Use Whimsy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA playful, fanciful quality, or a lighthearted odd idea.

Common pairings

a touch of whimsy childlike whimsy

Word Forms

whimsier comparative, whimsied past tense, whimsies plural, whimsies singular, whimsiest superlative

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The garden was decorated with little touches of _____, like painted gnomes and a crooked signpost.

Etymology

Probably formed from whim plus the noun ending -y; closely related to the older word whim-wham.

Synonyms

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notion whim whimsey flightiness whimsicality arbitrariness capriciousness

Related Words

thought idea feeling opinion concept impression notion conception

Rhymes for whimsy

mimsy flimsy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “whimsy” mean?

The word “whimsy” means a playful, quaint, or fanciful quality; also, a passing fanciful idea. In plain terms, a playful, fanciful quality, or a lighthearted odd idea.

How do you pronounce “whimsy”?

“Whimsy” is pronounced WIHM-zee (/ˈwɪmzi/ in IPA).

How do you use “whimsy” in a sentence?

Here is “whimsy” used in a sentence: “The garden was decorated with little touches of whimsy, like painted gnomes and a crooked signpost.”

What part of speech is “whimsy”?

“Whimsy” is a noun.

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