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

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

It all plays like a modern riff on Roald Dahl, with that writer’s wit and penchant for the piquant cruelty of kids and adults alike, filtered through Elliot’s more wistful if equally whimsical sensibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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