whimsical

American  

[hwim-zi-kuhl, wim-] / ˈʰwɪm zɪ kəl, ˈwɪm- /

adjective

1. given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious.

   a pixyish, whimsical fellow.

2. of the nature of or proceeding from whimsy, as thoughts or actions.

   Her writing showed whimsical notions of human behavior.

3. erratic; unpredictable.

   He was too whimsical with regard to his work.

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whimsical British  

/ ˌwɪmzɪˈkælɪtɪ, ˈwɪmzɪkəl /

adjective

1. spontaneously fanciful or playful

2. given to whims; capricious

3. quaint, unusual, or fantastic

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Other Word Forms

• unwhimsical adjective
• unwhimsically adverb
• unwhimsicalness noun
• whimsicality noun
• whimsically adverb
• whimsicalness noun

Etymology

Origin of whimsical

First recorded in 1645–55; whims(y) + -ical

Example Sentences

“He may have thought at that point, Oh my, she laid an egg and I ate her dinner!” the nonprofit wrote in its characteristic whimsical style.

From Los Angeles Times

Or she likes when I’m really dressed up so she’d probably dress me in some fun whimsical stuff.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackie Smook has spent years crafting characters and props for “Dilly’s World,” her whimsical web series and touring theatrical show about a girl confronting big issues with the help of some puppet friends.

From Los Angeles Times

And besides, some of the players' preferences come down to more subjective -- or whimsical -- factors.

From Barron's

Instead of harassing myself over my housing stability as proof of a character flaw, I reframed my moves as a whimsical plot twist, just as she had.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusing
• comical
• droll
• eccentric
• funny
• mischievous
• odd
• unusual
• weird