fantasize
Americanverb (used without object)
-
fantasizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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fantasized,
past participle, past
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fantasizing
present participle
verb (used with object)
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fantasizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fantasized,
past participle, past
-
fantasizing
present participle
verb
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to conceive extravagant or whimsical ideas, images, etc
-
(intr) to conceive pleasant or satisfying mental images
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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fantasizesimple
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fantasizessimple
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have fantasizedperfect
-
has fantasizedperfect
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am fantasizingprogressive
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are fantasizingprogressive
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is fantasizingprogressive
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have been fantasizingperfect progressive
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has been fantasizingperfect progressive
Past
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fantasizedsimple
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had fantasizedperfect
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was fantasizingprogressive
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were fantasizingprogressive
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had been fantasizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fantasize
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.
Vocabulary lists containing fantasize
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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.
See Examples For:
Some fantasize about running around with their grandchildren.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
We get it: we also fantasize about flowing to sunrise yoga on a Saturday morning, or strengthening our core, seaside, during a rejuvenating Pilates session.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
If you fantasize about retiring abroad, stories of blissful expats will only stoke your desire.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
Yes, one can fantasize about the end result of a good haul, i.e. crab cakes, crab cocktail and/or Crab Louie.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Instead of continuing the argument about how they would cop, they began to fantasize about what the gold could buy when it became legal tender.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
That might include, she further fantasizes, a technology tool you don’t even notice but that focuses your attention to sound vibrations the way glasses give clarity to blurry vision.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026
Walter Mitty is a term sometimes used to describe a person who fantasizes about a life more interesting and exciting than their own.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026
He fantasizes about a James Hong comic book series with his brand of sarcastic humor.
From Seattle Times ● May 25, 2023
"If you think about the show, and Alan's locked there in the basement, and Sam goes to work, and you think, 'Alan fantasizes about Auschwitz?' I 100% want to see that scene," said Weisberg.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2022
She fantasizes that the next place she goes—because there’s always a next place, another foster home, a new school—she’ll start over with a new, easier-to-maintain look.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
What active trader hasn’t fantasized about stepping out of their time-traveling DeLorean in October 1929, 1987 or 2007 with a wad of cash?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
Mayer says he’s fantasized about a sitcom or a talk show taking up residence on the soundstage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026
On Weibo, accounts linked to Xu have written that “Having more children can solve all problems” and fantasized about Xu’s children marrying Elon Musk’s children.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025
I ate it voraciously and have since fantasized over how I might replicate it at home, especially during the summertime — but I've yet to come close.
From Salon ● May 30, 2025
Whatever they fantasized about, it all seemed possible that day.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Along with fantasizing about exotic locations and charming apartments, we encourage you to spend some time on the boring yet important daily life stuff.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
She was about 4½ when she started fantasizing about participating in the World Cup.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
While starving and battling lice, the young women distracted themselves by fantasizing about food.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
I spent a lot of time fantasizing about the brick-and-mortar bakery I’d open one day.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2025
I’d been fantasizing about this moment, and the release of emotion that would accompany it, for many months.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
