whimsical

[ hwim-zi-kuhl, wim- ]

adjective

1. given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious:

   a pixyish, whimsical fellow.

2. of the nature of or proceeding from whimsy, as thoughts or actions:

   Her writing showed whimsical notions of human behavior.

3. erratic; unpredictable:

   He was too whimsical with regard to his work.

whimsical

/ ˌwɪmzɪˈkælɪtɪ; ˈwɪmzɪkəl /

adjective

1. spontaneously fanciful or playful
2. given to whims; capricious
3. quaint, unusual, or fantastic

Derived Forms

• ˈwhimsicalness, noun
• whimsicality, noun
• ˈwhimsically, adverb

Other Words From

• whimsi·cal·ly adverb
• un·whimsi·cal adjective
• un·whimsi·cal·ly adverb
• un·whimsi·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimsical¹

First recorded in 1645–55; whims(y) + -ical

Example Sentences

“Noid” was dense and menacing, Tyler’s flow somewhere between a growl and a yowl; “Darling, I” was light and whimsical but almost painfully yearning too.

From Los Angeles Times

The advert, released on Thursday, is a whimsical journey through one woman's memories as she tries to find the perfect Christmas gift for her sister.

From BBC

“It’s playful and whimsical — perfectly capturing the cozy, festive vibe of the show,” Davidson says.

From Los Angeles Times

For many Angelenos, Halloween is a celebration of autumn and a chance to embrace beloved whimsical traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

From jack-o'-lanterns glowing on porches to costumes ranging from the whimsical to the gory, Halloween is a time of playful scares, childhood memories and, of course, candy.

From Salon

Related Words

• amusing
• comical
• droll
• eccentric
• funny
• mischievous
• odd
• unusual
• weird