# fancy

/ˈfænsi/ (US) · /fˈænsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fancy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to want or desire

verb · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

to want something or feel like doing something.

For teachers: to have a wish or desire for something. Often used in the interrogative to make offers.

- Do you fancy a cup of tea before we head out?
- I didn't really fancy going to the cinema, so we decided to stay in and order pizza instead.

Usage: Commonly followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (-ing form).

### 2. to be attracted to

verb · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

to be romantically or sexually attracted to someone.

For teachers: to feel a romantic or sexual attraction toward someone.

- He has fancied her since they first met in university.
- It was obvious to everyone at the party that Mark fancied Sarah, though he was too shy to speak to her.

### 3. to imagine or suppose

verb · CEFR B2 · Literary · Formal

to imagine something or believe something is true without being sure.

For teachers: to believe or imagine something to be the case, often without certain proof.

- I fancy I heard a noise downstairs, but it was just the wind.
- She fancied herself a talented artist, though she had never actually sold a single painting.

### 4. decorative or elaborate

adjective · CEFR B1

having a lot of decoration or being complicated in a stylish way.

For teachers: elaborate in structure or decoration; not plain.

- They went to a fancy restaurant to celebrate their anniversary.
- The invitation was printed on fancy cardstock with gold embossed lettering around the edges.

### 5. high quality or expensive

adjective · CEFR B1

expensive and of a high social class.

For teachers: of a superior grade or intended to impress; often implies a high price point.

- She bought some fancy chocolates as a gift for her host.
- The hotel lobby was filled with fancy furniture that looked far too expensive to actually sit on.

### 6. a whim or desire

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a sudden feeling that you want something or like something.

For teachers: a superficial or capricious inclination; a whim.

- The design of the garden was based entirely on the owner's fancy.
- He had a sudden fancy to move to the coast, despite having lived in the city his entire life.

Usage: Often appears in the phrase 'take a fancy to'.

### 7. imagination

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

the power of your mind to create ideas or pictures.

For teachers: the faculty of imagination, especially when light or playful.

- The story was a pure flight of fancy with no basis in fact.
- The poet's rich fancy populated the woods with all manner of mythical creatures and spirits.

## Examples

- Do you fancy going for a walk later?
- I didn't really fancy a heavy meal, so I just ordered a small salad for lunch.
- While many people prefer structured tours, she found she didn't fancy the idea of following a strict schedule while on holiday.

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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.