# fanciful

/ˈfænsɪfəɫ/ (US) · /fˈænsɪfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fanciful
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

having or showing a lot of imagination. You use this to describe ideas or stories that are creative but not necessarily realistic.

For teachers: 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.

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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.