noun
-
a sudden, passing, and often fanciful idea; impulsive or irrational thought
-
a horse-drawn winch formerly used in mining to lift ore or water
Etymology
Origin of whim
First recorded in 1635–45; short for whim-wham
Explanation
A whim is an odd or fanciful idea, something kooky you suddenly decide to do, like dress up like a chicken or drive to Vegas. A whim can be a sudden impulse or a change of mind, like if you go shopping for school clothes but instead buy a pink cowboy hat. Whim is a shortened version of the equally silly sounding whim wham which means "fanciful object," like a tiny snow globe that plays "Hava Nagila." If you go for a drive on a whim, you could wind up anywhere, perhaps even back to the store to return that snow globe.
Vocabulary lists containing whim
List 6
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Wonder
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
On a whim, Moffitt, a self-described “very experimental cook,” started posting quick, easy salad recipes on TikTok in July 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
The answer to their problem still comes with sacrifice; they’re still at somebody else’s whim, even if that somebody has promised to be hands-off.
From Salon • May 6, 2026
A one-tonne revolving sculpture created "on a whim" by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, has been installed at a safari park in Wiltshire.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
While China's space programme has been historically slower, "it won't change course at the whim of its leadership either".
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
The whim of a rich and famous girl.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
Definitions 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.
