fancy

Meanings

Noun

• The imagination.
• An image or representation of anything formed in the mind.
• An opinion or notion formed without much reflection.
• A whim.
• Love or amorous attachment.
• The object of inclination or liking.
• Any sport or hobby pursued by a group.
• The enthusiasts of such a pursuit.
• A diamond with a distinctive colour.
• That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.
• A bite-sized sponge cake, with a layer of cream, covered in icing.
• A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.
• In the game of jacks, a style of play involving additional actions (contrasted with plainsies).

Adjective

• Decorative, or featuring decorations, especially intricate or diverse ones.
• Of a superior grade.
• Executed with skill.
• Unnecessarily complicated.
• Extravagant; above real value.

Adverb

• In a fancy manner; fancily.

Verb

• To appreciate without jealousy or greed.
• would like
• To be sexually attracted to.
• To imagine, suppose.
• To form a conception of; to portray in the mind.
• To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
• To breed (animals) as a hobby.

Origin

• From Middle English fansy, fantsy, a contraction of fantasy, fantasye, fantasie, from Old French fantasie, from Medieval Latin fantasia, from Late Latin phantasia ("an idea, notion, fancy, phantasm"), from Ancient Greek φαντασία, from φαντάζω, from φαντός, from φαίνω; from the same root as φῶς. fantasia, fantasy, phantasia, and phantasy.
• From Middle English fancien, fantasien, fantesien, from Old French fantasier, from the noun (see above)).