fanciful

/ˈfænsɪfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfænsɪfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfan(t)-si-fəl/ (ame, mw)

fanciful — adjective

  • fancifulpositive
  • more fancifulcomparative
  • most fancifulsuperlative

1. More imaginative than believable, so unlikely to work or happen in real life.

1.形容詞C2
釋義

More imaginative than believable, so unlikely to work or happen in real life.

例句

Walid dismissed the fanciful plan to build a ski hill in the desert.

fanciful + plan that ignores reality

The ad made a fanciful claim that one pill could end all pain.

fanciful + claim about impossible results

同義詞
  • unrealistic

    more direct and practical, with less playful imagination than 'fanciful'

  • far-fetched

    stronger, stressing that something is hard to believe at all

  • imaginary

    focuses on existing only in the mind, not on a weak plan or claim

反義詞
  • realistic

    fits real conditions and likely results

  • practical

    focused on what can really be done

文法句型

fanciful + plan/claim/idea

be + fanciful

用法筆記

Often modifies ideas, claims, plans, or stories that ignore practical limits or real evidence. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense judges something as unreal or impractical, not as attractively decorated.

常見錯誤

❌The climb looked fanciful, so we needed strong boots.
✅The climb looked difficult, so we needed strong boots.
💡'Fanciful' does not mean physically hard; it means unreal or based on imagination.
❌The report was fanciful because it used bright colors.
✅The report was fanciful because it promised impossible results.
💡bright visual style belongs to sense 2, but this sense is about unrealistic ideas.

2. Decorated with unusual, playful details that show a lively imagination.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

Decorated with unusual, playful details that show a lively imagination.

例句

Yuki bought a fanciful lamp shaped like a blue mushroom.

fanciful + object with playful design

The bakery window had fanciful cakes with sugar castles on top.

同義詞
  • whimsical

    suggests playful charm, while 'fanciful' can also stress elaborate detail

  • ornate

    focuses more on rich decoration and less on playful imagination

  • decorative

    broader and more neutral, without the unusual style of 'fanciful'

反義詞
  • plain

    simple, with little decoration

  • simple

    not detailed or elaborate in style

文法句型

fanciful + hat/design/cake

be + fanciful

用法筆記

Usually describes objects, clothes, rooms, or designs with decorative detail that feels playful or intricate. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about appearance, not whether an idea could really happen.

常見錯誤

❌The budget was too fanciful for the company.
✅The wallpaper was too fanciful for the office.
💡this sense describes visual style, not unrealistic business plans.
❌Her fanciful shoes were impossible to finish on time.
✅Her fanciful shoes had tiny beaded wings on the sides.
💡use this sense for decorative appearance, not for difficulty or schedule pressure.