whim

[ wim, hwim ]

noun

1. an odd or capricious notion or desire; a sudden or freakish fancy:

   a sudden whim to take a midnight walk.

   Synonyms: caprice, vagary, whimsy

2. capricious humor:

   to be swayed by whim.

whim

/ wɪm /

noun

1. a sudden, passing, and often fanciful idea; impulsive or irrational thought
2. a horse-drawn winch formerly used in mining to lift ore or water

Word History and Origins

Origin of whim¹

First recorded in 1635–45; short for whim-wham

Word History and Origins

Origin of whim¹

C17: from whim-wham

Example Sentences

Apparently on a whim, he ordered the withdrawal of American troops from Somalia, where they were involved in the war against the jihadist group al-Shabab - a decision reversed by the Biden administration.

From BBC

But Team Badenoch argue they don’t knowingly throw rules set down by the national party out of the window on a whim – unlike their opponents -- and they are ruthlessly focused on talking to those with a vote in this election.

From BBC

Musk brings up the idea of colonizing Mars so often that it can properly be regarded as a whim of iron.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a whim because he plainly hasn’t pondered soberly the obstacles in the way.

From Los Angeles Times

Von Furstenberg says she wrote the words on a print of the photograph on a whim because she thought the box looked too bare.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impulse
• inclination
• vagary