Word
fanciful
Phoneticsfan·ci·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfænsɪfəɫ/
UK/fˈænsɪfəl/
Definition
adj. having or showing a lot of imagination. You use this to describe ideas or stories that are creative but not necessarily realistic.
adj. characterised by or resulting from imagination; not necessarily based on fact or reason. Often used to describe creative or decorative designs that are imaginative rather than practical.
Examples
“The children built a fanciful castle out of cardboard boxes.”
“The architect's fanciful designs for the new library included floating glass bridges and curved walls.”
“While the plot of the novel is fanciful, the author's descriptions of the local culture are remarkably accurate and grounded in historical research.”
Examples
simple
“The children built a fanciful castle out of cardboard boxes.”
contextual
“The architect's fanciful designs for the new library included floating glass bridges and curved walls.”
complex
“While the plot of the novel is fanciful, the author's descriptions of the local culture are remarkably accurate and grounded in historical research.”
Real-World Examples
“That’s why the idea of there being a single best coffee machine is fanciful – everyone’s idea of the perfect coffee couldn’t be more different.” Etymology
From fancy + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fanciful