fancy /fanˈsi/ noun- That faculty of the mind by which it recalls, represents, or conjures up past images or impressions, ie imagination, esp of a lower, passive, or more trivial kind
- An image or representation thus formed in the mind
- An unreasonable, lightly-formed or capricious opinion
- A whim
- A fantasia (music)
- Capricious inclination or liking
- Taste
- An individual fancy cake (Scot)
- Love (Shakespeare)
adjective- Elaborate
- Superior
- Expensive
- Pleasing to, guided by, or originating in fancy or caprice
- Fantastic
- Capriciously departing from the ordinary, the simple, or the plain
- Ornate
- (of flowers) particoloured
- (of gems, esp diamonds) of a colour other than the normal one
transitive verb (fanˈcying; fanˈcied)- To picture in the mind
- To imagine
- To be inclined to believe
- To have a liking for or be sexually attracted to
- To consider likely to win
- To be pleased with
- To breed or cultivate (eg pigeons), with a view to development of conventionally accepted points
interjection (also fancy that) an exclamation of surprise ORIGIN: Contracted from fantasy fanˈciable adjective (informal) (of a person) sexually attractive fanˈcied adjective - Formed or conceived by whim, etc
- Imagined
- Favoured, esp in betting
fanˈcier noun - A person who fancies
- A person who has a liking for anything and is supposed to be a judge of it
- A breeder of distinctive varieties
fanˈciful adjective - Guided or created by fancy
- Imaginative
- Whimsical
- Wild
- Unreal
fanˈcifully adverb fanˈcifulness noun fanˈciless adjective Completely lacking in imagination, etc fanˈcifully adverb fanˈcilly adverb fancy bread noun Bread other than plain bread fancy cake noun A cake decorated with icing, filled with cream, etc Fancy Dan noun (informal) A stylish rather than effective performer fancy dress noun - A costume chosen for fun, esp for a party, and usu representing a famous type or character
- Dress arranged according to the wearer's fancy, to represent some character
fancy dress ball or fancy ball noun A ball at which fancy dress is worn fancy fair noun A special sale of fancy articles for some charitable purpose fancy-freeˈ adjective - Carefree
- Free of responsibilities
- Not currently in love
fancy goods plural noun Fabrics of variegated rather than simple pattern, applied generally to ornaments and other articles of show fancy man noun - A woman's lover (derogatory informal)
- A pimp
fancy monger noun (Shakespeare) A person who makes love, esp the love affairs of others, his or her business fanˈcy-sick adjective (Shakespeare) Love-sick fancy stitch noun A more intricate and decorative stitch than plain stitch fancy woman noun (derogatory informal) - A mistress
- A prostitute
fanˈcywork noun Ornamental needlework fancy oneself (informal) To think too highly of oneself the fancy (old) - Sporting characters generally, esp boxers
- Boxing
- Enthusiasts for a particular sport or pastime
take a fancy to To become fond of tickle or take someone's fancy To attract someone mildly in some way |