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

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

From BBC

Adès, who has his own unpredictably whimsical side, conducts as though he had written the score himself and shares his pleasure with every delightful effect.

From Los Angeles Times

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

But the "pain of the procedure" made that project "feel too whimsical", he told Rolling Stone magazine.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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