Whim | Definition of whim by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of WHIM

1

: a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy <quit his job on a whim>

2

: a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water

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Origin of WHIM

short for whim-wham

First Known Use: 1686

Related to WHIM

Synonyms: bee, caprice, crank, fancy, freak, humor, kink, maggot, megrim, notion, vagary, vagrancy, whimsy (also whimsey), bee in one's bonnet

Synonym Discussion of WHIM

caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire. caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness <by sheer caprice she quit her job>. whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination <an odd antique that was bought on a whim>. vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire <he had been prone to strange vagaries>. crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference <a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets>.

Rhymes with WHIM

bream, brim, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim

Definition of WHIM for Kids

: a sudden wish or desire : a sudden change of mind

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "whim"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "whim"

Nglish: Translation of "whim" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "whim" for Arabic speakers

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