Fantastical: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes something that is highly imaginative, often with elements that are magical or mythical, and tends to be very extravagant.

• The novel is set in a fantastical world where dragons roam free and magic is real

Pertains to something that exists only in the imagination and not in reality, and can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

• As a child, he had an imaginary friend named Max
• Her fears were merely imaginary, but they felt very real to her

Describes something that seems too strange or fantastic to be true, often used to express disbelief or amazement.

• The view from the mountaintop was so stunning, it felt almost unreal
• The events of that night were so bizarre, they seemed unreal

Used when something feels surreal or like it comes out of a dream, often with a soft, ethereal quality.

• The scene had a dreamlike quality, with mist curling around the ancient trees and the soft glow of the moonlight

Refers to something that takes inspiration from the fantasy genre, often including elements like magic, mythical creatures, and otherworldly settings.

• Her artwork is heavily fantasy-inspired, featuring elves, dragons, and enchanted forests

Often used in artistic or literary contexts, 'fantastical' refers to elements that are imaginative, magical, or out of this world. It suggests a blend of fantasy and unreal elements that could be enchanting or whimsical.

• The book is filled with fantastical creatures and magical realms.
• Her painting depicts a fantastical landscape, complete with dragons and floating islands.

This word is used to indicate that something is so extraordinary that it challenges belief. It can be used both positively and negatively, depending on the context.

• The magician's tricks were unbelievable; I couldn't figure out how he did them.
• His blatant disregard for the rules was unbelievable.

'Incredible' is commonly used to express amazement at something that is exceptionally good or astonishing. It might also indicate that something is hard to believe due to its outstanding nature.

• She has an incredible talent for painting.
• The view from the top of the mountain was incredible.

Used to describe something that is beyond what can be conceived or imagined. It often carries a sense of something being overwhelmingly exceptional or difficult to comprehend.

• The destruction caused by the hurricane was unimaginable.
• She faced unimaginable hardships but never gave up.

This word is used to describe something that is overstated or made to seem larger or more intense than it actually is. It can have a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of realism or honesty.

• His story about catching a fish was clearly exaggerated; there's no way it was ten feet long.
• The movie's action scenes were exaggerated to the point of being ridiculous.