fantasist

American

[fan-tuh-sist, -zist, fan-tey-zhist] / ˈfæn tə sɪst, -zɪst, fænˈteɪ ʒɪst /

noun

a person who writes or composes fantasies or fantasias in music, poetry, or the like.

fantasist British

/ ˈfæntəsɪst /

noun

a person who indulges in fantasies
a person who writes musical or literary fantasies

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fantasist

First recorded in 1920–25; fantas(y) + -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During his trial, it was heard that he created the "CV of a fantasist" - claiming he was a multi-millionaire, a former bomb disposal expert and an inventor.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

One of the survivors was even threatened with legal action and another described as a "fantasist", the review found.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024

Necheles then tried to portray Daniels as a fantasist.

From Slate • May 10, 2024

Luisa is a dreamy fantasist, desperate to love and be loved.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

But she’s such a fantasist, as we know to our cost.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023