Whimsy
adj, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 A quaint and fanciful idea; a whim; playfully odd behaviour. uncountable, usually
"[…] Take heed of filling their [i.e., children's] heads with VVhimzies, and unprofitable Notions; for this vvill ſooner learn them to be malepert and proud, than ſober and humble."
- 2 the trait of acting unpredictably and more from whim or caprice than from reason or judgment wordnet
- 3 An impulsive, illogical or capricious character. uncountable, usually
- 4 an odd or fanciful or capricious idea wordnet
- 5 A whim (capstan or vertical drum). countable, usually
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- 6 A jigsaw puzzle piece that has been cut into a recognizable shape, as if on a whim; often the shape is representative of the theme of the image used for the puzzle. countable, usually
""Dori, you have to solve this puzzle!" / "Sure, right away doctor. Quality construction … clean edges. Oh, a whimsy!""
- 7 The support that protects a finished piece as it is detached from a punty. countable, usually
- 1 To fill with whimsies or whims; to make fantastic; to craze. transitive
"A wantonneſſe in wealth, methinks I agree not with, / Tis ſuch a trouble to be married too, / And have a thouſand things of great importance, / Jewells and plates, and fooleries moleſt mee, / To have a mans brains whimſied with his wealth: […]"
- 1 Synonym of whimsical.
"Whimsiest of the fairy brood, I cannot scold you if I would"
Example
More examples"[…] Take heed of filling their [i.e., children's] heads with VVhimzies, and unprofitable Notions; for this vvill ſooner learn them to be malepert and proud, than ſober and humble."
Etymology
Probably from whims + -y. Related to whim-wham, whim.
Related phrases
More for "whimsy"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.