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

After buying the home, the couple carried out an extensive interior overhaul, working with designer Billy Cotton—who is also referenced in Allen’s song—to turn the historic abode into a “weird” and whimsical wonderland.

From MarketWatch

CBS News promoted Dokoupil’s launch with a whimsical social media video that showed the journalist presenting a piece of paper with his name written on it to commuters at Grand Central Terminal in New York.

From Los Angeles Times

When I first read your question I thought, “Oh, this could be a kind of whimsical loophole.”

From MarketWatch

The album was a whimsical twist on NASA’s space program, featuring aliens asking Parliament for funk assistance over the radio.

From The Wall Street Journal

Finally, give yourself permission to get a little whimsical with the whole production.

From Salon

Related Words

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