# fancied

/ˈfænsid/ (US) · /fˈænsɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fancied
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

describes someone or something that people expect to win a competition or be successful.

For teachers: regarded with favour or widely expected to achieve success in a specific contest or endeavour. Often used in the context of competitive sports or betting.

## Examples

- The fancied team lost the game in the final minute.
- Despite being the most fancied runner in the race, he finished in third place after a poor start.
- The heavily fancied candidate struggled to maintain her lead as the debate shifted toward economic policies where her opponents held more popular positions.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before the noun it modifies; often paired with intensifiers like 'highly' or 'heavily'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.