whim

[hwim, wim]

See more synonyms for whim on Thesaurus.com

noun

an odd or capricious notion or desire; a sudden or freakish fancy: a sudden whim to take a midnight walk.
capricious humor: to be swayed by whim.

Origin of whim

First recorded in 1635–45; short for whim-wham

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. whimsy, vagary, caprice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for whims

Contemporary Examples

There is no middle ground in submitting our sacred rights to the whims of foreign tyrants.
The Sony Hack and America’s Craven Capitulation To Terror
David Keyes
December 19, 2014
They are not locked into the whims of those more powerful, because their knowledge and abilities open doors.
Promoting Girls’ Education Isn’t Enough: Malala Can Do More
Paula Kweskin
December 9, 2014
The whims of fashionistas have brought us bellbottoms and skinny jeans and everything in between.
100 Years of Beauty Styles in 1 Minute
Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video
December 3, 2014
A president can do it, indulging his whims through unwritten laws and executive action.
Valerie Jarrett, Obama Consigliere—and Democracy Killer
James Poulos
November 12, 2014
Except the majority ruling makes clear the interests of those women simply don't matter as much as the whims of corporations.
In Hobby Lobby Ruling, a Court So Wrong in So Many Ways
Sally Kohn
June 30, 2014

Historical Examples

It was quite evident that "my niece" was a young person of whims.
Kent Knowles: Quahaug
Joseph C. Lincoln
I have ruined my life to satisfy one of your whims; surely that ought to suffice.
Pretty Madcap Dorothy
Laura Jean Libbey
It takes on the color of any composer's ideas, and submits like a slave to the whims of any virtuoso.
Melomaniacs
James Huneker
This was decidedly interesting, since it resembled her own whims.
The Gorgeous Girl
Nalbro Bartley
Even if you are a prince, the world cannot always run just to suit your whims.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for whims

whim

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

Word Origin

C17: from whim-wham

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

Word Origin and History for whims

whim

n.

1640s, "pun or play on words," shortened from whimwham "fanciful object" (q.v.). Meaning "sudden notion, fancy, or idea" first recorded 1690s, probably a shortened form of whimsy.

whim

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}whim

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for whims

Contemporary Examples

There is no middle ground in submitting our sacred rights to the whims of foreign tyrants.

They are not locked into the whims of those more powerful, because their knowledge and abilities open doors.

The whims of fashionistas have brought us bellbottoms and skinny jeans and everything in between.

A president can do it, indulging his whims through unwritten laws and executive action.

Except the majority ruling makes clear the interests of those women simply don't matter as much as the whims of corporations.

Historical Examples

It was quite evident that "my niece" was a young person of whims.

I have ruined my life to satisfy one of your whims; surely that ought to suffice.

It takes on the color of any composer's ideas, and submits like a slave to the whims of any virtuoso.

This was decidedly interesting, since it resembled her own whims.

Even if you are a prince, the world cannot always run just to suit your whims.

whim

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for whims

whim

n.

Origin of whim