Dictionary
fanciful
adjective fan·ci·ful \ˈfan(t)-si-fəl\
: coming from the imagination
: showing imagination : unusual and appealing
Full Definition of FANCIFUL
1
: marked by fancy or unrestrained imagination rather than by reason and experience <a fanciful person>
2
: existing in fancy only <a fanciful notion>
3
: marked by or as if by fancy or whim <gave their children fanciful names>
— fan·ci·ful·ly \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb
— fan·ci·ful·ness \-fəl-nəs\ noun
See fanciful defined for English-language learners
See fanciful defined for kids
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First Known Use of FANCIFUL
circa 1627
Related to FANCIFUL
- Synonyms
- absurd, bizarre, crazy, fantastic, foolish, insane, nonsensical, preposterous, unreal, wild
- Antonyms
- realistic, reasonable
Synonym Discussion of FANCIFUL
imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical, quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable. imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination <an imaginary desert isle>. fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination <a teller of fanciful stories>. visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization <visionary schemes>. fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief <a fantastic world inhabited by monsters>. chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic <chimerical dreams of future progress>. quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense <a quixotic crusade>.
FANCIFULNESS Defined for Kids
fanciful
adjective fan·ci·ful \ˈfan-si-fəl\
Definition of FANCIFUL for Kids
1
: showing free use of the imagination <a fanciful tale>
2
: coming from imagination rather than reason <He dreamed up a fanciful plan for getting rich.>
— fan·ci·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb
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