whimsy

noun

whim·​sy ˈ(h)wim-zē 

variants or less commonly whimsey

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy

3

: a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Synonyms

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

Examples of whimsy in a Sentence

The designer's new line showed a touch of whimsy.

a bit of decorative whimsy

Recent Examples on the Web

Vogue’s Favorite Freckle Pens In This Story But freckle pens aren’t just about whimsy or channeling your inner Marilyn Monroe—these clever tools have a practical side, too. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

The brass hardware gives it a hint of an edge to balance out the rustic wood, while the scalloped details on the doors adds some whimsy to the mix. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025

Basketball paper lanterns: $13.99 (Amazon) Basketball paper lanterns can light up a room while also adding some whimsy to your space. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025

Here’s another winner from Serena & Lily which plays with pompom accents in neutral hues for a dose of whimsy. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

irregular from whim-wham

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whimsy

noun

whim·​sy

variants also whimsey

ˈhwim-zē 

ˈwim-

plural whimsies also whimseys

1

: whim, caprice

2

: the quality or state of being whimsical or fanciful

the designer's new line of swimwear showed a touch of whimsy

3

: an imaginative or fantastic object or creation especially in a piece of writing or art