whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim 

1

: a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy

quit his job on a whim

2

: a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water

Synonyms

• bee
• caprice
• crank
• fancy
• freak
• humor
• kink
• maggot
• megrim
• notion
• vagary
• vagrancy
• whimsy
• whimsey

Choose the Right Synonym for whim

caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire.

caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Examples of whim in a Sentence

It's hard to predict voters' whims.

on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Recent Examples on the Web

While those numbers are subject to change based on Trump’s whims, the former president would have broad power to impose steep new taxes on imports without congressional approval. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Everything getting in the way of Cesar’s big plans boils down to the ills of society: stagnant, corrupt forces in positions of power and the careless whims of the rich who benefit from these long-standing, impotent leaders. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

The exoskeleton of Starlink satellites surrounding Earth, invisible from the ground, will feel almost palpable, shifting with the whims of the richest person in the world, who controls it all. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2024

The outcomes are subject to the whims of weather and stock, and typically beset by high rates of by-catch – the residual capture and depletion of turtles, fish, and other aquatic life. —Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for whim-wham

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whim

• at the whim of (someone)
• on a whim
• satisfy someone's every whim
• whim-wham

Kids Definition

whim

noun

ˈhwim 

ˈwim

: an odd or sudden wish, desire, or change of mind