fancy
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fancy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — British informal: to want or feel attracted to something or someone.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fancy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A shortened form of "fantasy," which traces back through Old French and Latin to Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination."
Full origin of fancy →Frequently asked questions
What does “fancy” mean?
The word “fancy” means british informal: to want or feel attracted to something or someone. In plain terms, depending on use: to like or want something (verb), elaborate/upscale (adjective), or a whim/passing desire (noun).
How do you pronounce “fancy”?
“Fancy” is pronounced FAN-see (/ˈfæn.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “fancy” in a sentence?
Here is “fancy” used in a sentence: “Do you fancy a coffee?”
What part of speech is “fancy”?
Depending on how it is used, “fancy” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “fancy” come from?
The word “fancy” comes from Ancient Greek. A shortened form of "fantasy," which traces back through Old French and Latin to Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination.".
Is “fancy” a common word?
“Fancy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fancy” have?
“Fancy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british informal: to want or feel attracted to something or someone.
What is the difference between "fancy" as a verb and as an adjective?
As a verb in British informal English, "fancy" means to want something or to feel attracted to someone, as in "Do you fancy a coffee?" or "She fancies him." As an adjective, "fancy" means elaborate, decorative, or of superior quality, as in a fancy restaurant. The two senses are unrelated in everyday use.
Is "fancy" formal or informal?
In its verb sense, meaning to want or to be attracted to someone, "fancy" is informal and chiefly British. The adjective meaning elaborate or high-quality is more neutral and used in both British and American English. Americans rarely use the verb sense and would say "want" or "like" instead.
When do British speakers use "fancy" to mean liking someone?
British speakers use "fancy" to mean being romantically or physically attracted to someone, as in "I think he fancies you." It is casual and common in everyday speech. In a non-romantic sense, "fancy" can also mean simply wanting something, as in "I fancy a walk."