fancy 1 of 3

fancy

2 of 3

noun

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4
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
In the meanwhile, Stabler is incredibly rash and approaches Tanner with just a flak vest and a radio headset over his fancy suit and glorious dome. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 May 2025 Technically this version is a little fancier than our top pick, with electronic ignition and a nice pale green paint job. Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 May 2025
Noun
While the flashy, often unusual Alienware design won’t be for everyone, the HP Omen Max's more low-key appearance may tickle your fancy. Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025 Missions throw lavish parties at their own embassies, including a legendary bash thrown by the Cubans every December, but no one at our table had ever attended an event this large and this fancy in the Delegates Dining Room. Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Monroe and his secretary of state, John Quincy Adams, were also aware that Russia’s czar had stated an interest in both the Oregon territory and California and fancied lands as far south as Peru. Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2025 Meanwhile Casemiro has been much criticised during his time in Manchester and was simply not fancied by previous Brazil manager Dorival Junior. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
  • The team credits their detailed simulation to the power of cutting-edge computing.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 5 June 2025
  • The company then provides clients with a detailed report, which shows their embryo's results.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • As a Millennial what’s your take on Gen Z’s excessive use of exclamation points?
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 9 June 2025
  • Without legislative action this year to fix excessive insurance mandates, the entire peer-to-peer car sharing industry could disappear overnight.
    Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • In 1963, Johnson moved from Elizabeth, N.J. to bustling 42nd Street to follow her dreams of being a Broadway star and to learn more about New York City’s gay community.
    Tourmaline, Time, 2 June 2025
  • These kinds of breakthroughs are no longer a distant dream.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • This translates into collections that transcend seasonal whims, instead offering timeless pieces with modern sensibilities.
    Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
  • Ownership of the Birmingham Property changed hands several times through transactions initiated at the whims of the Respondent.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Close lid to grill and bake three to five minutes to your liking.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
  • Taste, and add more dressing, a little at a time, until the salad is dressed to your liking.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Environment builders go beyond the production of discreet, individual objects–like paintings or sculptures–to create entire worlds of imagination taking over their surroundings.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • As per Forbes, at least a dozen oarfish washed up onto Japan's coastline in the year before the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, which brought the deep-sea creatures back to the forefront of the imagination.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Often hailed as the definitive screen version, this series perfectly captured the turning point in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance and brought to life the very estate many imagined from the novel’s descriptions.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
  • In an exclusive clip from the film (below), the jury tries to retrace Sophie’s steps, and imagine her state of mind, on the night she was murdered.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Designed with a deep respect for the natural landscape, each homesite averages over a half acre, giving homeowners the space and serenity to enjoy a tranquil lifestyle rarely found in today’s fast-growing Kansas City metropolitan area.
    Prime Development Land Company, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
  • On warm summer evenings your patio may come alive with the powerful croaking of tree frogs that enjoy the moist and protective habitat of potted succulents.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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