Word
whim
US/ˈhwɪm/
UK/wˈɪm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a sudden wish or idea to do something, especially when there is no important reason for it. You use this when someone acts quickly without planning ahead.
n. a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained. Often implies a lack of serious motive or deliberation.
Examples
“She bought the expensive dress on a whim.”
“The company's direction seemed to change at the whim of the CEO rather than following a long-term strategy.”
“While some travelers plan every minute of their itinerary, others prefer the freedom of traveling on a whim, allowing local recommendations to dictate their next destination.”
Examples
simple
“She bought the expensive dress on a whim.”
contextual
“The company's direction seemed to change at the whim of the CEO rather than following a long-term strategy.”
complex
“While some travelers plan every minute of their itinerary, others prefer the freedom of traveling on a whim, allowing local recommendations to dictate their next destination.”
Usage
Frequently used in the prepositional phrase 'on a whim' or following 'at the' ('at the whim of').
Real-World Examples
“My friend Paloma once moved countries on a near whim.” “The signing was not done on a whim.” Etymology
Clipping of whim-wham.
Compare whimbrel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/whim