fancy
She wore a fancy dress to the party.
She wore an elaborate, stylish dress to the party.
elaborate or ornate in style
The wedding cake was very fancy with gold leaf and intricate designs.
The wedding cake was highly decorated with gold leaf and detailed patterns.
Often implies decoration or complexity beyond the ordinary.
to like or want something
Do you fancy a cup of tea?
Would you like a cup of tea?
Common in British English; implies desire or preference.
imagination or fantasy
His stories are full of fancy and adventure.
His stories are filled with imaginative and adventurous elements.
Refers to creative or unrealistic ideas.
to believe something is true without evidence
I fancy he’s hiding something.
I suspect he’s hiding something.
Implies a guess or suspicion, often with little basis.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'fantasy'
'Fancy' implies decoration or desire, while 'fantasy' refers to imaginative scenarios or unreal things. Compare: 'a fancy dress' (decorated) vs. 'a fantasy world' (imaginary).
Gold Rule
Use 'fancy' for desire in informal contexts
In British English, 'Do you fancy a drink?' is natural, while 'Do you want a drink?' is more universal.
Use 'fancy' for decoration in neutral contexts
Describe objects with 'fancy' when they are elaborately decorated, e.g., 'a fancy cake' or 'fancy curtains'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'fancie' (imagination, fantasy), from Old French 'fantaisie' (imagination), from Latin 'phantasia' (appearance, imagination), from Greek 'phantasia' (appearance, imagination), from 'phantazein' (to make visible, imagine), from 'phantos' (visible). The verb sense (to like) emerged in the 17th century.
Usage Notes
In British English, 'fancy' as a verb often implies romantic attraction (e.g., 'I fancy her'). In American English, this usage is less common. The adjective sense is widely understood in both dialects.