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Synonyms

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.
whimsical British  
/ ˌwɪmzɪˈkælɪtɪ, ˈwɪmzɪkəl /

adjective

  1. spontaneously fanciful or playful

  2. given to whims; capricious

  3. quaint, unusual, or fantastic

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It just seems so whimsical and delightful to be able to do that."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

On “Pajarito,” a light and whimsical number in Spanish addressed to a little bird, he whistles part of the melody as the circular chord progression invites clapping along.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Smith had studied the architects while a student at Hampton University, and has documented on his Instagram their various stylings, which range from restrained to whimsical to ornate.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Less than a month ago, Destiny Littleton posted on Instagram about a whimsical visit to a McDonald’s in Jerusalem, where the former USC shooting guard is playing professional basketball.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Hatsue had been taken from his life by history, because history was whimsical and immune to private yearnings.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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.