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

The implication, which subsequent comments will make explicit, is that he has lost himself — as one friend says, “going with your career, your ambition, your whims, then lying to yourself about it the whole while.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It should integrate with how Congress actually works and not just be at the whims of the county registrar.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s enough, certainly, to sour any celebration over Gaetz’s departure, even if that exist did underscore that there are still limits on Trump’s whims.

From Salon

“We’ll figure it out after that. But, you know, the whims of my life shouldn’t interrupt hers.”

From Los Angeles Times

Significant as the HHS role is, Kennedy would still find his powers curtailed by the limits of the agency’s reach — and potentially by the whims of his boss.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impulse
• inclination
• vagary