Definition Definition

fancy - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'fancy' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Fancy [ a.]
- Adapted to please the fancy or taste; ornamental; as, fancy goods.
- Extravagant; above real value.
2 . Fancy [ n.]
- The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a representation of anything perceived before; the power of combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or images; the power of readily and happily creating and recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit, or embellishment; imagination.
- An image or representation of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit.
- An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim; impression.
- Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason; as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of inclination or liking.
- That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.
- A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.
3 . Fancy [ v. i.]
- To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something without proof.
- To love.
4 . Fancy [ v. t.]
- To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine.
- To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
- To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine (something which is unreal).

Meaning of 'fancy' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . fancy [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a predisposition to like something
Example in sentence:
  • he had a fondness for whiskey;
  • she had dismissed him quite brutally, relegating him to the status of a passing fancy, or less
Meaning (2):
- imagination or fantasy; held by Coleridge to be more casual and superficial than true imagination
Example in sentence:
  • never had the wildest flights of fancy imagined such magnificence
Meaning (3):
- something many people believe that is false
Example in sentence:
  • they have the illusion that I am very wealthy
4 . fancy [ v]
Meaning (4):
- imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind
Example in sentence:
  • I can see a risk in this strategy;
  • I can see what will happen;
  • I can't see him on horseback!
Meaning (5):
- have a fancy or particular liking or desire for
Example in sentence:
  • She fancied a necklace that she had seen in the jeweler's window
6 . fancy [ a]
Meaning (6):
- not plain; decorative or ornamented
Example in sentence:
  • fancy clothes;
  • fancy handwriting