fancy

adjective

UK /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

adjective	fancy
comparative	fancier
superlative	fanciest

1
expensive, popular, and fashionable
We stayed at some fancy hotel in the centre of London.
children who are sent to fancy private schools
Synonyms and related words
Expensive and fashionable
fashionable
fancy
flashy
2
not plain or simple but with a lot of decorations or extra parts
The camera comes in a fancy leather case.
I wanted just a plain handbag – nothing fancy.
fancy goods (=small objects used as decorations):
a shop selling jewellery and fancy goods
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe decoration
beaded
bedecked
bejewelled
3
complicated or difficult
fancy computer graphics
fancy footballing tricks
Synonyms and related words
Complicated and difficult to understand
complicated
difficult
complex
4
intended to seem impressive, important, or clever
The candidate’s fancy words lost more votes than they gained.
Synonyms and related words
Deserving praise, respect and admiration
respected
praiseworthy
heroic
5
fancy prices are much higher than they should be
Synonyms and related words
Types of prices and describing prices and costs
all in
all-in
all-inclusive
6
Americanfancy food is of very good quality
Synonyms and related words
Tasting good
tasty
edible
appetizing

fancy

adjective

US /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

adjective	fancy
comparative	fancier
superlative	fanciest

1
not plain or simple but with a lot of decorations or extra parts
I wanted just a plain handbag, nothing fancy.
The camera comes with a fancy leather case.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe decoration
beaded
bedecked
bejeweled
2
complicated or difficult
fancy computer graphics
fancy basketball moves
Synonyms and related words
Complicated and difficult to understand
complicated
difficult
complex
3
intended to seem impressive, important, or clever
The candidate’s fancy words lost more votes than they gained.
Synonyms and related words
Deserving praise, respect and admiration
respected
praiseworthy
heroic
4
expensive, popular, and fashionable
We stayed at some fancy hotel in the center of London.
children who are sent to fancy private schools
Synonyms and related words
Expensive and fashionable
fashionable
fancy
flashy
5
fancy prices are much higher than they should be
Synonyms and related words
Types of prices and describing prices and costs
$90, 80 cents, etc. a clip
all in
all-in
6
Americanfancy food is of very good quality
Synonyms and related words
Tasting good
tasty
edible
appetizing

fancy

nounliterary

UK /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

singular	fancy
plural	fancies

1
countable a feeling of wanting or liking something, especially a feeling that is not very strong or serious
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of liking someone or something
liking
affection
taste
2
countable/uncountable imagination, or something that you imagine or dream about
Was it only his fancy, or was there someone watching him?
one of those strange fancies of a dying person
Synonyms and related words
Something that is not real or true
falsehood
fantasy
myth
See alsoflight

phrases

take a fancy to someone

take a fancy to something

take/catch someone’s fancy

fancy

noun

US /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

singular	fancy
plural	fancies

1
countable a feeling of wanting or liking something, especially a feeling that is not very strong or serious
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of liking someone or something
liking
affection
taste
2
countable/uncountable literaryimagination, or something that you imagine or dream about
one of those strange fancies of a dying person
Synonyms and related words
Something that is not real or true
falsehood
fantasy
myth
See alsoflight

phrases

catch someone’s fancy

take a fancy to someone

take a fancy to something

fancy

phrase

or fancy thatspoken

1
used when you are very surprised about something
Fancy you knowing my sister!
Synonyms and related words
Ways of saying that you are surprised or shocked
funnily enough
you don’t say
heavens above

fancy

phrase

or fancy thatspoken

1
used when you are very surprised about something
Synonyms and related words
Ways of saying that you are surprised or shocked
funnily enough
you don’t say
actually

fancy

verb transitive

UK /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	fancy
he/she/it	fancies
present participle	fancying
past tense	fancied
past participle	fancied

1
Britishinformalto want to have or do something
What do you fancy for your lunch?
I quite fancy the idea of lazing around.
fancy doing something:
Do you fancy going to the cinema?
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
Synonyms and related words
To want to do something
want
wish
fancy
2
Britishinformalto feel sexually attracted to someone
I think Steve fancies you!
Synonyms and related words
Feeling sexual excitement or desire
on the pull
arouse
desire
3
Britishinformalto believe that someone will be successful in doing something, especially winning a competition or fight
fancy someone for something:
I fancy Manchester United for the Cup this year.
fancy your chances (for something):
So, do you fancy your chances for tomorrow’s game?
fancy someone to do something:
Oxford are strongly fancied to win this year’s Boat Race.
Synonyms and related words
To have an opinion or opinions
think
believe in
say
4
literaryto believe or imagine that something is true
He sometimes fancied that he heard strange sounds.
Synonyms and related words
To imagine, or to use your imagination
imagine
suppose
think up
Synonyms and related words
To believe or accept that something is true or exists
think
believe in
suppose

phrases

fancy

fancy yourself

fancy

verb transitive

US /ˈfænsi/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	fancy
he/she/it	fancies
present participle	fancying
past tense	fancied
past participle	fancied

1
literaryto believe or imagine that something is true
He sometimes fancied that he heard strange sounds.
Synonyms and related words
To imagine, or to use your imagination
imagine
suppose
think up
Synonyms and related words
To believe or accept that something is true or exists
think
believe in
suppose
2
Britishinformalto want to have or do something
What do you fancy for your lunch?
I quite fancy the idea of lazing around.
Synonyms and related words
To want something
want
wish
hope
Synonyms and related words
To want to do something
want
wish
ache
3
Britishinformalto feel sexually attracted to someone
Synonyms and related words
Feeling sexual excitement or desire
on the pull
arouse
desire

phrases

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