fantasize

American  

[fan-tuh-sahyz] / ˈfæn təˌsaɪz /

especially British, fantasise or phantasize

verb (used without object)

fantasized, fantasizing

1. to conceive fanciful or extravagant notions, ideas, suppositions, or the like (often followed byabout ).

   to fantasize about the ideal job.

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verb (used with object)

fantasized, fantasizing

1. to create in one's fancy, daydreams, or the like; imagine.

   to fantasize a trip through space.

fantasize British  

/ ˈfæntəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to conceive extravagant or whimsical ideas, images, etc

2. (intr) to conceive pleasant or satisfying mental images

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Other Word Forms

• fantasizer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fantasize

First recorded in 1925–30; fantas(y) + -ize

Explanation

To fantasize is to imagine things that are not true and sometimes not possible. We fantasize about things we wish were real. Have you ever daydreamed that you're a king, or a superstar in the NBA, or able to fly? Then you've been fantasizing. Fantasizing is something everyone does, though we all have different fantasies. You can fantasize about things that are possible or impossible, including being the President, riding a unicorn, or being the President of unicorns. You can fantasize about anything you can imagine.

Example Sentences

Fantasize together as a way of getting on the same page.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2019

Fantasize; let your dreams roam into all the weird places you never let them go before.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2019

“I like to imagine what this will look like. We all do it. Fantasize disaster.”

From New York Times • May 16, 2017

Related Words

• daydream
• hallucinate