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

Customize a Christmas Village Whether passed down from family, made yourself, or purchased new, decorating a Christmas village each year with family signals the beginning of the season and adds a touch of holiday whimsy to your home. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024

That whimsy is on full display at Nightcap, the property’s signature speakeasy/jazz club. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

But the appeal of Chandler’s whimsy is yet to be determined. —Rafaela Bassili, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Cirque du Soleil transforms its artistry into a captivating fragrance that captures the wonder and whimsy of the circus. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

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