whimsy

Also whim·sey

[hwim-zee, wim-]

noun

plural

whimsies 

1. capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression.

   a play with lots of whimsy.

2. an odd or fanciful notion.

   Synonyms: humor, whim, caprice

3. anything odd or fanciful; a product of playful or capricious fancy.

   a whimsy from an otherwise thoughtful writer.

whimsy

/ ˈwɪmzɪ /

noun

1. a capricious idea or notion

2. light or fanciful humour

3. something quaint or unusual

adjective

1. quaint, comical, or unusual, often in a tasteless way

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimsy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; whim(-wham) + -sy

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimsy¹

C17: from _whim ; compare _flimsy

Example Sentences

His surrealist reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s Victorian children’s novel, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” distorts the nonsense and whimsy: melting clocks and anxious White Rabbits, sinister playing cards and caterpillars on mushrooms.

From Los Angeles Times

A delicate balancing act of romance, comedy and whimsy, the film now actually feels a little overworked, as if Anderson was wrestling certain internal impulses in trying to purposefully make something light.

From Los Angeles Times

Aiming to “recapture that initial wonderment and whimsy,” he’s been going back for more than 10 years, always looking for “some kind of new and out-of-my-comfort-zone mischief.”

From Los Angeles Times

After all, we can all benefit from adding more whimsy to our plates.

From Salon

“There are so many places where there is whimsy and magic because there are so many artists here who are trying to find ways to express themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• playfulness www.thesaurus.com