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 the political theater surrounding Trump’s calls for rate cuts will continue, the broader discussion should focus on building a future that doesn’t depend on the whims of central bankers but instead embraces a sound, fair, and forward-looking financial system. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Puerto Ricans are simply beholden to the whims of U.S. policymakers. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

What will happen the next time the FBI wants to get into a Facebook account or an encrypted iPhone—when the definition of a political threat has changed based on the president’s whims? —Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2025

Pam Bondi, as the new U.S. Attorney General, is following the same familiar Trump playbook and will investigate, prosecute and jail at Trump’s whim. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2025

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