fantastic

1 of 2

adjective

fan·​tas·​tic fan-ˈta-stik How to pronounce fantastic (audio)
fən-
variants or less commonly fantastical
fan-ˈta-sti-kəl How to pronounce fantastic (audio)
Synonyms of fantasticnext
1
a
: based on fantasy (see fantasy entry 1 sense 2) : not real
b
: conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy
fantastic new space and nuclear weapons—Jack Raymond
c
: so extreme as to challenge belief : unbelievable
a fantastic industrial complex of steel, coal, machine tools, and other heavy industries—M. S. Handler
broadly : exceedingly large or great
spent fantastic sums on his library
2
: marked by extravagant fantasy or extreme individuality : eccentric
fantastic works of art
3
fantastic : excellent, superlative
a fantastic meal
fantasticality
(ˌ)fan-ˌta-stə-ˈka-lə-tē How to pronounce fantastic (audio)
fən-
noun
fantasticalness
fan-ˈta-stə-kəl-nəs How to pronounce fantastic (audio)
noun

fantastic

2 of 2

noun

: eccentric sense 1

Synonyms

Adjective

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for fantastic

fantastic, bizarre, grotesque mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality.

fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

synonyms see in addition imaginary

Examples of fantastic in a Sentence

Adjective The train runs at fantastic speeds. a fantastic scheme for getting rich quick
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Taylor Roloff, Encinal volleyball: The Jets standout had a fantastic match in the NCS Division IV semifinals, finishing with 27 kills, two assists and two blocks. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Mark reiterates that Jonathan is a fantastic human being. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Mother Goose title is a sign that while things might look normal, the fantastic informs this story. —Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 Since the end of World War II a quality of the fantastic has run through the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 3 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for fantastic 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

fantastic going back to Middle English fantastik "of imagination as a faculty, produced by the imagination, not real, unfounded, false, supernatural," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French fantastique, borrowed from Late Latin phantasticus "of the imagination, deceptive, imaginary," borrowed from Greek phantastikós "able to produce the appearance of something, resulting from the imagination," from phantast- (stem in nominal derivation corresponding to phantasía "appearance, image, imagination" and phantázein "to make visible, present to the eye or mind, (middle voice) place before one's mind, imagine") + -ikos -ic entry 1; fantastical going back to Middle English fantasticalle, from fantastik + -alle -al entry 1 — more at fantasy entry 1

Noun

derivative of fantastic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fantastic was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing fantastic

Dictionary Entries Near fantastic

fantast

fantastic

fantastically

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantastic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

fantastic

adjective
fan·​tas·​tic
fan-ˈtas-tik,
fən-
1
also fantastical
-ti-kəl
 : produced by the imagination or like something produced by the imagination
a fantastic scheme
2
: extremely high or great
fantastic speeds
3
: excellent, great
a fantastic meal
fantastically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb
fantasticalness
-kəl-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fantastic

Nglish: Translation of fantastic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fantastic for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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