fan·cy
ˈfan(t)-sē 
fancied; fancying
1
: to have a fancy (see fancy entry 2 sense 1) for : like
He's all right, I suppose, but I can't say that I fancy him.
2
: to form a conception of : imagine
fancy our embarrassment
Just fancy my surprise when I heard that he was getting married.
3
a
: to believe mistakenly or without evidence
b
: to believe without being certain
she fancied she had met him before
real or fancied wrongs
4
: to visualize or interpret as
fancied myself a child again
plural fancies
1
a
: a liking formed by caprice rather than reason : inclination
took a fancy to the mutt
b
: amorous fondness : love
She took a fancy to the young man.
3
archaic
: fantastic quality or state
4
a
: imagination especially of a capricious or delusive sort
His plans to build a new stadium are the product of pure fancy.
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
: boxing entry 1
fancier; fanciest
1
: dependent or based on fancy : whimsical
2
a(1)
: not plain : ornamental
a fancy hairdo
(2)
: swank sense 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
6
: parti-color
fancy carnations
Examples of fancy in a Sentence
Verb
Which horse do you fancy in the Derby?
try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India
Noun
His plans to build a new stadium are the product of pure fancy.
Critics have dismissed his plan as mere fancy.
Adjective
He drives a big, fancy car.
we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Some have fancied themselves an island chanteuse (Wanda Shirk on Palau).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Which leads us to our current flight of fancy—which jewels currently on the market would be perfect for Hollywood legends?
—Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The fanciest, most famous restaurants are still doing mostly table service, but just about every other establishment has been conscripted into the army that ferries hot food out of professional kitchens and into American mouths 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
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show current usage.
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Verb
The 27-year-old would undoubtedly have fancied his chances of getting back on track against a beleaguered Fiorentina side, but looks set to play no part after withdrawing through injury just half an hour into the USMNT’s friendly against Australia on Tuesday.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Some have fancied themselves an island chanteuse (Wanda Shirk on Palau).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
She’s fallen under the sway of a fashionable worldview in which logic is paramount, and the realm of emotion and magic and even dæmons is just childish fancy.
—Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Which leads us to our current flight of fancy—which jewels currently on the market would be perfect for Hollywood legends?
—Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Shapermint shapewear Shapermint offers size-inclusive shapewear designed for everyday wear – from long workdays and fancy nights out.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The fanciest, most famous restaurants are still doing mostly table service, but just about every other establishment has been conscripted into the army that ferries hot food out of professional kitchens and into American mouths 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Cite this Entry
“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fancy
2 of 3 noun
fan·cy
ˈfan(t)-sē
plural fancies
fancy
3 of 3 adjective
fancier; fanciest
1
: based on fancy : unpredictable
2
a
: not plain : ornamental
b
: of particular excellence
c
: bred especially for a showy appearance
a fancy goldfish
3
: done with great skill and grace
fancy footwork
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