Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Whim-wham

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A whimsical object; a trinket. obsolete

    "They′ll pull ye all to pieces for your Whim-whams, Your Garters and your Gloves,"

  2. 2
    A whim or fancy.

    "1807 April 18, “Anthony Evergreen” (Washington Irving), Salmagundi, or The Whim-whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. & Others, No. VIII, 1834, The Complete Works of Washington Irving in One Volume, page 35, And trust me, gentlefolk, his are the whim-whams of a courteous gentleman full of most excellent qualities ; honourable in his disposition, independent in his sentiments, and of unbounded good-nature, as may be seen through all his works."

  3. 3
    A state of nervous anxiety. in-plural

    "But that wasn't what gave him the whim-whams so bad here. In the clearing, no more than ten feet away, stood a little stone cherub atop a fancy grave marker maybe three feet high."

Etymology

Uncertain; perhaps from North Germanic (compare Old Norse hvima (“to let the eyes wander”), Norwegian kvima (“to flutter”)), but in any case ultimately sound-symbolic/a fanciful reduplication (compare flim-flam).

See also for "whim-wham"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: whimwham