FANCY Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fancy 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of fancy next

as in detailed

made or done with great care or with much detail we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount decided they would rather go without dinner than pay the hotel restaurant's fancy prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fancy

2 of 3

noun

as in dream

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality a writer with a prodigious talent for creating fancies that captivate readers young and old

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in whim

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action is this a serious interest in music, or just your latest fancy that will be forgotten after a week?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in liking

positive regard for something now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

ˈfan(t)-sē

as in to imagine

to form a mental picture of try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to enjoy

to take pleasure in the teacher didn't fancy the idea of failing the student, even if he was the class clown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For

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a fancy restaurant

an extravagant restaurant

a formal restaurant

a posh restaurant

a classy restaurant

a luxurious restaurant

fancy cars

luxurious 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

While the end result is backpacking-good (i.e. not on the same level as my favorite Thai restaurant in town), my wife and I can both eat it from the same container while enjoying an unreal sunset in the high alpine, which is plenty fancy for us. —

Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 7 Feb. 2025 There's no need to get fancy here: a Polaroid or disposable camera snaps the most adorable film photos. —

Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025

Noun

Questions about the social utility of what writers did—questions that have plagued many writers, then and now—weighed heavily on midcentury Italian intellectuals, whose experience of recent history discouraged flights of fancy. —

Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Get The Recipe 06 of 60 Smothered Steaks With Mushroom Sauce Ready in 30 minutes Upgrade your weeknight menu with steaks and a glossy mushroom pan sauce that’s fast, easy, and a little fancy. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Verb

Results over the past couple of months have been dire, and a side that fancied itself to challenge for the Champions League when the season began is increasingly looking like mid-table fodder. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 News round-up Anybody fancying Son Heung-min on a free transfer this summer should stand down. —

Phil Hay, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fancy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy

Adjective

By the time MacMahon and McGourty first met with Page, the filmmakers prepared a detailed storyboard for the film.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
For George's portrait, the 11-year-old took a step back, drawing his mother more detailed, sitting in a chair.

— Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025