whimsy
7 synonyms for whimsy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A playful, quaint, or fanciful quality; also, a passing fanciful idea.
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 whimsy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a touch of whimsy
childlike whimsy
Etymology
Probably formed from whim plus the noun ending -y; closely related to the older word whim-wham.
Full origin of whimsy →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.
