whimsical

[hwim-zi-kuhl, wim-]

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.

whimsical

/ ˌwɪmzɪˈkælɪtɪ, ˈwɪmzɪkəl /

adjective

1. spontaneously fanciful or playful

2. given to whims; capricious

3. quaint, unusual, or fantastic

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimsical¹

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

Example Sentences

And he might settle there, too: He wants to build a home on two cleared lots he envisions packed with whimsical elements like secret underground rooms.

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With its slow pacing, shaky handheld cameras, dishwater cinematography and unnervingly extreme closeups, it feels more like an intense indie drama than a whimsical tale of a robber with a peculiar M.O.

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Conversations changed from the whimsical to wondering about the point of living a life haunted by chronic pain.

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He is whimsical, funny, snarky, slightly obnoxious and at his core, I think, very sincere.

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Sonny Angels, the little collectible dolls popping up on his Instagram feed, looked like babies with whimsical hats in the shape of fruits and animals.

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Related Words

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