Definition

Describing something that is imaginative or unrealistic, often created from fancy or whimsy rather than practical considerations.

Example

The children's book was filled with fanciful creatures and magical adventures.

Conversation

Have you read that new book with the fanciful characters?

Yeah, I loved how imaginative it was!

I always enjoy stories that are a bit fanciful and whimsical.

Same here! They really spark my creativity.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Fanciful → It is formed from "fancy" (from Middle English *fancy*, meaning imagination or whim) and "-ful" (meaning full of). The word "fanciful" means full of imagination or whimsical ideas.

Memory Tip

Think of having a lot of imagination or whimsical ideas, as 'fancy' means imagination and '-ful' means full of.

Visually Confused Words