fancy 1 of 3

fancy

2 of 3

noun

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as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others to fans of Lewis Carroll, the animal creations of his fertile fancy are as real as any creature to be found at the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fancy

3 of 3

verb

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a fancy restaurant
an extravagant restaurant
a formal restaurant
a posh restaurant
a classy restaurant
a luxurious restaurant
fancy cars
flashy cars
lavish cars
snazzy cars
swanky cars
fancy clothes
formal clothes
glamorous clothes
dressy clothes
fabulous clothes
extravagant clothes

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fancy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fancy are conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When could conceive be used to replace fancy?

The words conceive and fancy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of fancy?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Where would imagine be a reasonable alternative to fancy?

The meanings of imagine and fancy largely overlap; however, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for fancy?

While the synonyms realize and fancy are close in meaning, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of fancy?

In some situations, the words think and fancy are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fancy
Adjective
What Equinox Hotels is doing here is more than adding fancy new amenities. Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Despite the dangers, wealthier people built bigger, fancier homes, pushing out over the canyons and higher into the hills. Tim Golden, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
Choices That Sour With Age While some designers may be willing to indulge clients’ flash-in-the-pan decorating fancies, others are eager to celebrate the old-faithfuls in their upcoming projects. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024 Does the idea of matching your Vitamix container to your kitchen decor strike your fancy? Donna Kim, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
The fragrance is also great for scent layering, so if your giftee fancies a particular diffuser or other bathroom aroma, this will pair effortlessly. Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Sean Dyche’s men might have fancied themselves against the league leaders off the back of their last game, which was a thumping 4-0 win over Wolves. Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fancy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • In addition, while detailed elements of the College Cost Reduction Act, sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), are included in the policy memo (including a repeal of other federal student loan forgiveness programs), PSLF reforms are not part of that draft legislation.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In December, information a whistleblower provided to the German hacker collective the Chaos Computer Computer and Der Spiegel revealed that Cariad, a software company that partners with Volkswagen, had left detailed location data for 800,000 electric vehicles publicly exposed online.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Those not able to cash in, however, see the program as one of two things: a genuine offer hamstrung by excessive red tape, or a half-hollow gesture meant to rack up free PR in the midst of a historic disaster.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Progressive reformers viewed this as a modern evil just like unsafe working conditions and the excessive power of trusts.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With the sun conjunct Pluto in Aquarius — shaking up your 12th house of closure, dreams, healing and unconscious patterns — you’re empowered with an inner knowing and deep sense of spirituality.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Azzedine Alaïa had a dream of having a boutique on rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré—with this location, his dream is manifested.
    Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • Simply use its manual controls or remote control to customize it to your liking.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Asus’ curiously named Adol 14 Air is a laptop with an aroma diffuser built in to keep your immediate workspace smelling pleasant with a fragrance of your liking.
    John Burek, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • To make this sort of elegance truly work, especially in such a self-aware manner, one frankly needs a director with a lot more imagination and dynamism than Condon.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Set in 1993, Lil Kev follows a 12-year-old Hart, a kid with an unstoppable imagination and a knack for turning tough realities into comedy gold.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The spectacle here is one based on literalism: nothing need be imagined ever again.
    Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Watkins imagines a future database in which each parcel of land is inspected for fire-readiness, so that each neighborhood can be profiled for fire safety and insurers can price rates accordingly.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Choose between 40 premade meals each week, which are shipped directly to your door, then simply reheat and enjoy.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
  • All three can be enjoyed as part of a healthy and well-rounded diet.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near fancy

Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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