Dictionary
1fancy
verb fan·cy \ˈfan(t)-sē\
: to take pleasure in (something)
: to consider (someone or something) likely to win or succeed
: to want to have or do (something)
fan·ciedfan·cy·ing
Full Definition of FANCY
transitive verb
1
: to have a fancy for : like
2
: to form a conception of : imagine <fancy our embarrassment>
3
a : to believe mistakenly or without evidence b : to believe without being certain <she fancied she had met him before>
4
: to visualize or interpret as <fancied myself a child again>
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First Known Use of FANCY
14th century
Related to FANCY
Synonym Discussion of FANCY
think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. 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>. conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design <conceived of a new marketing approach>. imagine stresses a visualization <imagine you're at the beach>. fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires <fancied himself a super athlete>. realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined <realized the enormity of the task ahead>. 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>.
think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five hours>.
think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five hours>.
2fancy
noun
: the feeling of liking someone or something
: the power of the mind to imagine things
: something imagined
plural fancies
Full Definition of FANCY
1
a : a liking formed by caprice rather than reason : inclination <took a fancy to the mutt> b : amorous fondness : love
3
archaic : fantastic quality or state
4
a : imagination especially of a capricious or delusive sort b : the power of conception and representation used in artistic expression (as by a poet)
6
a : devotees of some particular art, practice, or amusement b : the object of interest of such a fancy; especially : 1boxing
See fancy defined for English-language learners
Origin of FANCY
Middle English fantasie, fantsy imagination, image, illusion, preference, from Anglo-French fantasie illusion, from Latin phantasia, from Greek, appearance, imagination, from phantazein to present to the mind (middle voice, to imagine), from phainein to show; akin to Old English gebōned polished, Greek phōs light
First Known Use: 15th century
3fancy
adjective
: not plain or ordinary
: very expensive and fashionable
: done with great skill and grace
fan·ci·erfan·ci·est
Full Definition of FANCY
1
: dependent or based on fancy : whimsical
2
a (1) : not plain : ornamental <a fancy hairdo> (2) : swanky 2, posh <a fancy restaurant> b (1) : of particular excellence or highest grade <fancy tuna> (2) : impressive <posted some fancy numbers> c of an animal or plant : bred especially for bizarre or ornamental qualities that lack practical utility
3
: based on conceptions of the fancy <fancy sketches>
4
a : dealing in fancy goods b : extravagant <paying fancy prices>
5
: executed with technical skill and style <fancy footwork> <fancy diving>
See fancy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FANCY
1646
Related to FANCY
- Synonyms
- complex, complicated, detailed, elaborate, intricate, involved, sophisticated
- Antonyms
- no-frills, simple, unfancy, unsophisticated
FANCINESS Defined for Kids
1fancy
adjective fan·cy \ˈfan-sē\
fan·ci·erfan·ci·est
Definition of FANCY for Kids
1
: not plain or ordinary <a fancy dress>
2
: being above the average (as in quality or price) <fancy fruits>
3
: done with great skill and grace <fancy diving>
— fan·ci·ly \ˈfan-sə-lē\ adverb <a fancily decorated cake>
— fan·ci·ness \-sē-nəs\ noun
2fancy
noun
plural fan·cies
Definition of FANCY for Kids
1
: imagination 1 <a flight of fancy>
2
: liking <She took a fancy to her new neighbors.>
3fancy
verb
fan·ciedfan·cy·ing
Definition of FANCY for Kids
1
: to have a liking for <I've never fancied Halloween.>
2
: imagine 1 <I fancied that I would have married him … — Katherine Paterson, Jacob Have I Loved>
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