fantasy
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fantasy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An imagined scenario, especially a pleasant or unrealistic one.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 fantasy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French fantasie, ultimately from Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination" — a doublet of "fancy" and "fantasia."
Full origin of fantasy →Frequently asked questions
What does “fantasy” mean?
The word “fantasy” means an imagined scenario, especially a pleasant or unrealistic one. In plain terms, either a daydream/imagined scenario, or the genre of fiction built around magic and imaginary worlds.
How do you pronounce “fantasy”?
“Fantasy” is pronounced FAN-tuh-see ([ˈfæ̃ɾ̃əsi] in IPA).
How do you use “fantasy” in a sentence?
Here is “fantasy” used in a sentence: “Winning the lottery and retiring young was just a fantasy of his.”
What part of speech is “fantasy”?
Depending on how it is used, “fantasy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fantasy” come from?
The word “fantasy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French fantasie, ultimately from Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination" — a doublet of "fancy" and "fantasia.".
Is “fantasy” a common word?
“Fantasy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fantasy” have?
“Fantasy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an imagined scenario, especially a pleasant or unrealistic one.
What is the difference between fantasy and reality?
Fantasy is something imagined — a scenario that exists only in the mind, often pleasant or unrealistic. Reality is what actually exists and happens. A fantasy of winning the lottery lives in the imagination; the reality is the everyday world. The two are opposites: invented versus actual.
What is the difference between fantasy and fancy?
A fantasy is a fuller imagined scenario, often vivid or elaborate, such as daydreaming about a different life. A fancy is a lighter, more fleeting notion or liking — a passing fancy. Fantasy suggests depth and detail; fancy suggests a brief whim. Fantasia, by contrast, usually names a free-form piece of music.
What are the types of fantasy?
The word covers several senses. There are personal daydreams and wishes; the fantasy genre in books, films, and games featuring magic and imaginary worlds; and fantasy sports, where fans build imaginary teams from real players. All of them share the core idea of something imagined rather than real.
Is fantasy a good or bad thing?
Neither by nature. Fantasy fuels creativity, storytelling, and hope, helping people imagine possibilities beyond the everyday. It becomes a problem only when it replaces reality or feeds unrealistic expectations. As imagination at play, fantasy is a normal and often healthy part of how people think.