fantasize
Americanverb (used without object)
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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)
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fantasized,
past participle, past
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fantasizing
present participle
verb
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to conceive extravagant or whimsical ideas, images, etc
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(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
If you fantasize about retiring abroad, stories of blissful expats will only stoke your desire.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
Between sets on stage, the two would often take breaks to fantasize about fame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026
The empathic distance that reality TV affords still allows us to not only delight in the Traitors’ impressive murder run but perhaps fantasize as to how well we’d perform in their place.
From Salon ● Jan. 28, 2026
Here are some of the conclusions that I gleaned from conversations with McKinsey executives and from their reports: We Americans often fantasize that German and Japanese industries are super-efficient, exceeding American industries in productivity.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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 spending his days taking photos and developing them in his darkroom, where he has total creative control and doesn’t need to worry about budgets and crews and schedules.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
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
Enrique fantasizes about Lourdes’s expected homecoming in December.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
On the journey to the U.S., they fantasized about what classes would be offered at their new school.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
I immediately fantasized about changing my no-dog policy to “second dogs are OK—at $500 a month.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 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 fantasized about eating an array of bubble plate-friendly foods: crudités, scoops of vanilla ice cream drizzled in olive oil and elaborate yogurt bowls topped with fancy granola, cut-up fruit and cacao nibs.
From Salon ● May 25, 2025
Over and over, I fantasized about what I would like to do.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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
Fans are also fantasizing about an appearance from you on Madonna’s album …
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Pete Golding had spent nearly 20 years in college football, fantasizing about the day when he might become a head coach in the hallowed Southeastern Conference.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
I haven’t had that sandwich in more than a decade, but just writing about it now, I’m absolutely fantasizing.
From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2025
I have to admit I like to imagine you as a kid fantasizing about junk food.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
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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.
