Meaning of Whimsy | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A quaint and fanciful idea; a whim; playfully odd behaviour.
   uncountable, usually
2. An impulsive, illogical or capricious character.
   uncountable, usually
3. A whim (capstan or vertical drum).
   countable, usually
4. A jigsaw puzzle piece that has been cut into a recognizable shape, as if on a whim; often the shape is representative of the theme of the image used for the puzzle.
   countable, usually
5. The support that protects a finished piece as it is detached from a punty.
   countable, usually

Equivalents

Examples

“[…] Take heed of filling their [i.e., children's] heads with VVhimzies, and unprofitable Notions; for this vvill ſooner learn them to be malepert and proud, than ſober and humble.”

“These days! where e'en th' extravagance of poetry, / Is at a loss for figures to express / Men's folly, whimsies, and inconstancy, / And by a faint description makes them less.”

“[A]ll the ridiculous and extravagant ſhapes that can be imagin'd, all the fancies and whimſies of Poets and Painters and Ægyptian Idolaters, if ſo be they are conſiſtent with Life and Propagation, would be now actually in Being, if our Atheiſt's Notion were true: […]”

“Egad, if her Majeſty has often theſe VVhimſies, I ſhall petition the Court to build a Bridge over the River, or let me reſign my Employment.”

“It’s a lovely sequence cut too short because the show seems afraid to give itself over to romance and whimsy and wistfulness when it has wedgie jokes to deliver.”

“[…] but in effect it seemed to have heaps of Amelie-style whimsy but no deeper unity or coherence.”

“"Dori, you have to solve this puzzle!" / "Sure, right away doctor. Quality construction … clean edges. Oh, a whimsy!"”

CEFR level