whimsical

[ hwim-zi-kuhl, wim- ]

adjective

1. given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious:

   a pixyish, whimsical fellow.

2. of the nature of or proceeding from whimsy, as thoughts or actions:

   Her writing showed whimsical notions of human behavior.

3. erratic; unpredictable:

   He was too whimsical with regard to his work.

whimsical

/ ˈwɪmzɪkəl; ˌwɪmzɪˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. spontaneously fanciful or playful
2. given to whims; capricious
3. quaint, unusual, or fantastic

Derived Forms

• ˈwhimsicalness, noun
• ˈwhimsically, adverb
• whimsicality, noun

Other Words From

• whimsi·cal·ly adverb
• un·whimsi·cal adjective
• un·whimsi·cal·ly adverb
• un·whimsi·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimsical¹

First recorded in 1645–55; whims(y) + -ical

Example Sentences

Lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg was as provocative as Hammerstein, though with a much less earnest, more whimsical sensibility.

From The Daily Beast

Bulbous columns, winding staircases, and whimsical bas-reliefs of mythical creatures wrap around the palace.

From The Daily Beast

The actor transformed from a sensual Marilyn Monroe to a whimsical Salvador Dali to a starving migrant mother, seamlessly.

From The Daily Beast

The artists are no stranger to the whimsical and the surreal.

From The Daily Beast

In January, the newly revived Schiaparelli sent out its first couture collection in decades, presenting light, whimsical clothing.

From The Daily Beast

For a moment there was no consciousness in their gaze; then a whimsical ghost of a smile crept about his mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

Ida thought it was, but the quiet confidence behind his whimsical manner appealed to her.

From Project Gutenberg

Weston was a little leaner, and his face was grimmer than it had been, for the whimsical carelessness had faded out of it.

From Project Gutenberg

An instance of oaths being subjected to the like whimsical conditions is noticeable in the domestic manners of Old Germany.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a whimsical smile on his lips, but his eyes were wonderfully tender.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amusing
• comical
• droll
• eccentric
• funny
• mischievous
• odd
• unusual
• weird