fantasticadj.n.
A. adj.† 2. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a phantasm. Obs.† 3. † b. Of poetry: Concerned with ‘phantasy’ (Greek ϕαντασία) or illusory appearance. Obs. [See Plato Sophistes xxiii, li. In quot. a1586 the word may be merely a transliteration of Greek ϕανταστική.]
1. † a. Existing only in imagination; proceeding merely from imagination; fabulous, imaginary, unreal (obs.).
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b. In mod. use, of alleged reasons, fears, etc.: Perversely or irrationally imagined.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > lack of reason, irrationality > [adjective] > not based on reason
hoflesc1175
unreasonablec1384
fantastica1387
disreasonablec1550
reasonless1556
idle1590
alogical1603
groundless1620
irrational1641
unreasonal1650
adoxal1652
irrationable1657
unreasoning1682
untoward1682
unfaceablea1825
aberrational1837
non-rational1859
irrationalistic1910
a bit hot1925
arational1935
α.
β. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 481 All those other Phantastick Gods, were nothing but Several Personal Names.1742 E. Young Complaint i. 94 My soul phantastic measures trod O'er fairy fields.a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 279 What is i-seide..of Merlyn has fantastik getynge.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 63 Kyng Arthures body [was founden] þat was i-counted as it were fantastik.
1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys ii. f. xliiiv, A very fantastyke fable.
1627 Ld. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 11 His fantastique Happiness.
1721 Swift Bubble viii, He longs to rove in that fantastick scene.
1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. viii. 170 A fourth sort..may be called Phantastic, or Imaginary; such as Centaurs.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i, I could smile at such fantastic terrors.
1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma vi. 153 His hearers and reporters were sure to verse it on their own fantastic grounds also.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > ghost or phantom > [adjective]
fantastic1483
fantasticalc1485
spectrical1609
sprightlya1616
spectrene1652
spectrous1652
shadowy1681
visionary1697
ghostly1753
faerie1767
spectry1796
spectral1816
spectrish1822
apparitional1824
phantasiastic1830
spooky1854
astral1877
α.
β. 1635 A. Stafford Femall Glory 189 That he had a phantasticke body, not made of his Mothers Flesh.1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 377 The Fruits of Sodom, deceitful Viands, Aery Banquets, Phantastick Food.a1716 R. South Serm. (1741) VII. 16 An aerial phantastic body.1483 Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 19/2 He shewed that he was veryly rysen..by etyng openly, and by no art fantastyke.
a1492 Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. xlii. f. lxviii/1, [I am] noo thynge fantastyque, but a sparcle of fyre, Asshes, and flesshe.
1598 B. Yong tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 127 A meere dreame, or some fantastick illusion.
a1625 J. Fletcher Rule a Wife (1640) iv. 52 Is not this a phantastick house we are in, And all a dreame we doe.
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 198 One will allow of his humanity..another will allow a divine soul with a fantastick body.
a. Of or pertaining to phantasy, in its various psychological senses (see fantasy n. 1, 4) as denoting either the faculty (and act) of apprehending sensible objects, or that of imagination; imaginative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > [adjective]
imaginativea1398
fantastic1483
imaginarya1500
fantastical1526
imaginal1638
imaginant1840
imaginational1856
1483 Caxton tr. Caton F viij b, By cogytacyon or thynkyng fantastyke and by illusyon of the deuyll.
1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 47 [Phantasie] in her Ballance doth their values trie, Where some things good, & som things il do seeme..in her phantasticke eye.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Pref. ⁋43 There is as much phantasticke pleasure in doing a spite, as in doing revenge.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. i. 29 The different Phancies in us, caused by the respective Differences of them..Which Phancies or Phantastick Idea's are [etc.].
1793 T. Taylor tr. Sallust On the Gods viii. 38 The irrational soul..is sensitive and phantastic life.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > other aspects or elements > [adjective] > concerned with fantasy
fantastica1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. H2, Mans wit may make Poesie, (which should be Eikastike, which some learned haue defined, figuring foorth good things,) to be Phantastike: which doth contrariwise, infect the fancie with vnworthy obiects.
1669 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. I iii. i. 18 Phantastic Poesie is that, which altogether feigns things.
4. Of persons, their actions and attributes:† a. Having a lively imagination; imaginative (obs.).
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Categories »
b. Fanciful, impulsive, capricious, arbitrary; also, foppish in attire. Now in stronger sense: Extravagantly fanciful, odd and irrational in behaviour.
ΚΠ
α.
β. 1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill A iij b, He that talking of a young gentleman, shoulde say, that he was phantasticke, cholericke, amorous..doth hym no wrong.1702 R. Steele Funeral ii. 31, I have long..Bore with your Phantastick humour.1493 Chastysing Goddes Chyldern (de Worde) xix. sig. Dvv/2, Whether he haue a sadde knowyng or felinge, or elles a soden wytte or fantastyk.
a1616 Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. vii. 47 To be fantastique, may become a youth Of greater time then I shall shew to be. View more context for this quotation
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer ii. 1 Let no fantastique Reader now condemne Our homely Muse.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 577 The..fantastique Directions of ignorant Physitians.
c1760 T. Smollett Ode to Independence 100 And all her jingling bells fantastic Folly ring.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 312 The fantastick vagaries of these juvenile politicians. View more context for this quotation
1850 R. W. Emerson Montaigne in Representative Men iv. 180 Great believers are always reckoned..impracticable, fantastic, atheistic.
5. Arbitrarily devised. Now rare. Cf. fancy adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective] > capricious or whimsical > marked or characterized by capriciousness
fantastical1531
feathery1601
fantasticala1618
arbitrary1646
fancy1646
whimmed1654
fantastic1658
volatile1661
vagarious1827
1658 J. Bramhall Consecr. Bps. iii. 29 They say..the..Protestant Bishops..were consecrated..by a new phantastick forme.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles i. 110 Phantastic and capricious miracles.
1876 H. N. Humphreys Coin Coll. Man. xxvi. 396 Occasionally fantastic variations of well-known inscriptions occur.
6.
a. Having the appearance of being devised by extravagant fancy; eccentric, quaint, or grotesque in design, conception, construction, or adornment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > absurdity, incongruity > [adjective]
impertinenta1425
royeta1522
absurd1531
preposterous1533
ridiculous1533
deaf?1541
monstrous?1549
fabulous1561
fanatical1598
fantastical1600
laughable1600
fantasticc1616
nonsense1621
arsy-versy1628
absonous1642
nonsensical1645
ridicule?1669
fancical1671
grotesque1747
rich1836
saugrenu1876
laughsome1884
cockeyed1894
hilarious1925
Rube Goldberg1928
whimsy-whamsy1931
Rube Goldbergian1933
cockamamie1941
fantasticated1960
fanciful-
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > [adjective] > excessively ornamented
garish1587
fantasticc1616
scrolloping1923
pansified1929
α.
β. 1618 G. Wither Wither's Motto Each phantastique Garb our Gallants weare.a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 242 Written in such an affected and phantastick stile.c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) iii. 1078 Drusus, that fashion-imitating ape, Delights to follow each fantastique shape.
1728 E. Young Love of Fame iii, in Wks. (1757) I. 107 The masquerade's fantastic scene!
1751 T. Gray Elegy xxvi. 10 Yonder nodding beech That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high.
1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands II. 221 Vaulted halls adorned with the usual fantastic arches.
1856 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) i. 30 The Arab traditions..are too fantastic to be treated seriously.
1871 B. Taylor tr. Goethe Faust I. vi. 133 (stage direct.) [The Witch] with fantastic gestures draws a circle.
b. Arbitrarily used by Milton for: Making ‘fantastic’ movements (in the dance); hence in later allusions to Milton's phrase. So in Comb. fantastic-footed.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > style or manner of dancing > [adjective]
capering1595
fantastic1645
braided1747
gymnopaedic1850
cheek to cheek1909
heelwork1931
twinkle-toed1960
the world > movement > bodily movement > [adjective] > qualities of bodily movement > agile or nimble
lightOE
quiverOE
yepec1275
taitc1300
yap13..
delivera1375
swippera1387
wight1390
nimblea1400
yarea1400
yerna1400
smitherc1475
leger1483
agilea1500
liver1530
lightsome1567
wimble1579
nimble jointed1591
nimble shifting1591
agilious1599
nimbling1599
nimble spirited1611
expedite1612
fitchanta1616
airy1642
fantastic1645
volant1650
clever1691
light-limbed1695
spry1746
swack1768
swank1786
yauld1787
deliverly1820
slippy1847
nippy1849
springe1859
pantherish1869
pantherine1890
flippant1895
loose1907
Tarzanesque1933
Tarzan-like1943
1645 Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Trip it as ye go On the light fantastick toe.
a1790 T. Warton Ode Approach of Summer 59 Haste thee, Nymph! and hand in hand..Bring fantastic-footed Joy.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey III. v. xv. 324 Mr. St. Ledger..prided himself..on his light fantastic toe.
7. In trivial use: excellent, good beyond expectation. colloq.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
1938 M. Allingham Fashion in Shrouds xi. 175 Oh, Val, isn't it fantastic?..It's amazing, isn't it?
1971 New Statesman 5 Feb. 176/3 A friend tells me of a recent experience..which really does rate that over-worked adjective, fantastic.
1973 Brand New Monty Python Papperbok (1986) 27 For the past seventeen weeks Janet has been on a fantastic package tour to Malaga.
1987 Los Angeles Times 5 Sept. v. 2/3 ‘Only..very nice?’ he asked woefully. ‘Oh, it's great! I mean, it's fantastic!’
B. n.† 2. One given to fine or showy dress; a fop. Obs.† 3. A fanciful composition. Obs.† 4. Power of fancy or imagination. Obs.
1. One who has fanciful ideas or indulges in wild notions. Obs. exc. arch.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > fancy or fantastic notion > [noun] > fanciful person
dreamera1425
fantast1588
fantastical1589
fantastic1598
maggot-monger1607
Sabine1610
maggot-patea1640
wham1691
whim1712
visionarya1719
imaginariana1729
ideologue1815
ideologist1818
fancier1828
idealist1829
abstractionist1844
phantasist1864
dreamsmith1873
luftmensch1902
cuckoo-lander1916
fantasist1923
pie-in-the-skyer1973
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [noun] > slight madness > crankiness or eccentricity > person
fantastical1589
fantastic1598
earwig brain1599
extravagant1627
fanatic1644
energumen1660
original1675
toy-pate1702
gig1777
quiz1780
quoz?1780
rum touch1800
crotcheteer1815
pistol1828
eccentric1832
case1833
originalist1835
cure1856
crotchet-monger1874
curiosity1874
crank1881
crackpot1883
faddist1883
schwärmer1884
hard case1892
finger1899
mad hatter1905
nut1908
numéro1924
screwball1933
wack1938
fruitcake1942
odd bod1942
oddball1943
ghoster1953
raver1959
kook1960
flake1968
woo-woo1972
zonky1972
wacko1977
headbanger1981
α.
β. 1630 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentleman 6, I would be glad to weane this Phantasticke from a veine of lightnesse.fig.1675 G. R. tr. A. Le Grand Man without Passion 132 Opinion is the Fountain, this Fantastick which seduceth our understanding, etc.1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 52 Thou art Bedlam mad..And glori'st to be counted a fantastick.
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa in Divine Poems (1717) 111 Power..to perverse fantasticks if conferr'd..spurs on wrong.
1706 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus I. v. 8 The Church-men justly growl to see..that the Force of Toleration..Should set each canting, proud Fantastick Above their Courts Ecclesiastick.
1882 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant II. xv, A Fantastic, whose brain was turned with monkish fancies.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy
popa1500
miniona1513
prick-me-daintya1529
puppy?1544
velvet-coat1549
skipjack1554
coxcomb1567
musk cat?1567
physbuttocke1570
Adonis?1571
Adon1590
foretop1597
musk-cod1600
pretty fellow1600
sparkc1600
spangle-baby1602
flash1605
barber-monger1608
cocoloch1610
dapperling1611
fantastica1613
feather-cock1612
trig1612
jack-a-dandy?1617
gimcrack1623
satinist1639
powder puffa1653
fop1676
prig1676
foplinga1681
cockcomb1684
beau garçona1687
shape1688
duke1699
nab1699
smirk1699
beau1700
petty master1706
moppet1707
Tom Astoner1707
dapper1709
petit maître1711
buck1725
toupee1727
toupet1728
toupet-man1748
jemmy1753
jessamy1753
macaroni1764
majoc1770
monkeyrony1773
dandyc1780
elegant1780
muscadin1794
incroyable1797
beauty man1800
bang-up1811
natty1818
ruffian1818
exquisite1819
heavy swell1819
marvellous1819
bit of stuff1828
merveilleux1830
fat1832
squirt1844
dandyling1846
ineffable1859
guinea pig1860
Dundreary swell1862
masher1872
dude1877
mash1879
dudette1883
dand1886
heavy gunner1890
posh1890
nut1904
smoothie1929
fancy-pants1930
saga boy1941
fancy Dan1943
a1613 T. Overbury Characters A Phantastique, An Improvident young Gallant.
1673 Milton At Vacation Exercise in Poems (new ed.) 64 Triming..Which takes our late fantasticks with delight.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 131 A Fantastic is one that wears his Feather on the Inside of his Head.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > fancy or fantastic notion > [noun]
phantoma1375
fantasyc1440
conceitc1450
fancy1471
crotchet1573
whim-wham1580
vision1592
reverie1602
whimsy1607
windmill1612
brainworm1617
maggota1625
vapour1631
flama1637
fantastic1641
idea1660
whim1697
rockstaff1729
whigmaleery1730
vagary1753
freak1785
whimsy-whamsy1807
crankum1822
whimmery1837
1641 G. H. (title) Wits recreations, containing..variety of fancies and fantasticks.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > [noun]
sightc1175
thoughtc1175
imagination1340
thinking1340
conceptiona1387
imaginativea1398
phantasm1490
concept1536
fetch1549
conceit1556
conceiving1559
fancy1581
notion1647
fantastic1764
ideality1815
ideoplasty1884
phantastikon1917
1764 Public Advertiser 31 May in N. & Q. (1863) 3rd Ser. IV. 385 It [Mozart's playing] surmounts all Fantastic and Imagination.
5. That which is fantastic, strange, eccentric or odd.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > strangeness > that which is strange
strangenessa1566
fantastic1908
1908 Daily Chron. 17 Mar. 3/3 The tradition of the fantastic which has clung to the memory of Buckingham.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online September 2014).
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adj.n.a1387