noun
Uncommon
whim
wihm
Whim (noun) means a sudden, playful, or impulsive idea or desire, with little or no real reason behind it. Example: “On a whim, they booked flights to Lisbon for the weekend.”
noun
1
A sudden, playful, or impulsive idea or desire, with little or no real reason behind it.
"On a whim, they booked flights to Lisbon for the weekend."
"He bought the guitar on a whim and never learned to play it."
How to use whim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden urge to do something, usually without much planning or serious reason.
Common pairings
on a whim
a passing whim
act on a whim
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Word forms
- Plural
- whims
- Third person singular
- whims
- Past tense
- whimmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
On a _____, they booked flights to Lisbon for the weekend.
Etymology
A shortened form of the older word whim-wham, itself of uncertain origin, likely echoing the playful, erratic feel of the idea it describes.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for whim
See all rhymes for whim →Frequently asked questions
What does “whim” mean?
The word “whim” means a sudden, playful, or impulsive idea or desire, with little or no real reason behind it. In plain terms, a sudden urge to do something, usually without much planning or serious reason.
How do you pronounce “whim”?
“Whim” is pronounced wihm (/wɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “whim” in a sentence?
Here is “whim” used in a sentence: “On a whim, they booked flights to Lisbon for the weekend.”
What is another word for “whim”?
Words with a similar meaning to “whim” include boutade, caprice, capriccio, conceit, crotchet and fancy.
What part of speech is “whim”?
“Whim” is a noun.
Is “whim” a common word?
“Whim” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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