Fancy

/ˈfæn.si/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A liking or desire for something.

He has a fancy for vintage cars and collects them.

An elaborate or imaginative conception.

The novel is full of fanciful ideas and magical creatures.

verb

To imagine something in a particular way; to envision.

She fancied herself as a famous artist one day.

To have a liking or fondness for something.

Do you fancy going out for dinner tonight?

adjective

Elaborate in structure or decoration; not plain; ornate.

She wore a fancy dress to the gala that sparkled under the lights.

Extravagantly expensive or showy.

The restaurant is known for its fancy cuisine and upscale ambiance.

Feeling a desire or wish for something.

He had a fancy for adventure, always seeking out new thrills.

From Middle English 'fancie', from Old French 'fantaisie', from Latin 'phantasia'.

fancy dress

A costume or special attire, often for a party.

fancy that

Expressing surprise or disbelief.

fancy footwork

Skillful or intricate movement, especially in dance or athletics.

fanciful

Characterized by or showing fancy; imaginative and unrealistic.

fantasy

The faculty or activity of imagining impossible or improbable things.

fantastic

Extraordinarily good or attractive.

To be highly attractive or stylish.

Those shoes are so fancy!

To show off or be pretentious.

He’s just being fancy with that new car.