whimsy

American  

[hwim-zee, wim-] / ˈʰwɪm zi, ˈwɪm- /

Also whimsey

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of whimsy

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

Example Sentences

Looking back on my stay, the surprise and the indulgence and the whimsy proved him right.

From Salon

Take in Laguna Beach via one of its free trolleys — and find a host of quirky surf shops, a bounty of galleries and a community dedicated to free-spirited whimsy.

From Los Angeles Times

When embarking on technical descriptions, he often adds a touch of whimsy to jolly the reader along.

From The Wall Street Journal

Adding to the whimsy, the book contains a fictional congratulatory letter from the heroine to Patchett regarding her novel “State of Wonder.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s through Amélie’s gaze — or, more precisely, how these filmmakers interpret it visually — that we begin to understand her invigorating whimsy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• playfulness