Whim: meaning, definitions and examples

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whim

[wɪm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

sudden desire

A sudden wish or desire, often without a logical basis or reason.

Synonyms

caprice, impulse, whimsy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whim	Used when someone suddenly decides to do something without a clear reason or plan. It often suggests a sudden, fleeting desire. She went to the beach on a whim. He bought the expensive watch on a whim.
impulse	Implies a sudden urge to act, often driven by emotion rather than thought. It can be neutral or slightly negative, depending on the context. He acted on an impulse and quit his job. She resisted the impulse to yell at him.
caprice	Describes a sudden and unaccountable change in mood or behavior. It often implies unpredictability and can have a slightly negative connotation. The manager's decision was seen as a mere caprice. Her constant caprices made it difficult to work with her.
whimsy	Suggests a playful or fanciful idea or behavior, often charming and imaginative. It generally carries a positive or light-hearted connotation. The artist’s paintings are full of whimsy. The story was filled with whimsy and magic.

Examples of usage

I bought that dress on a whim.
She decided to travel to Paris on a whim.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

fanciful idea

An odd or fanciful notion or idea.

Synonyms

conception, fantasy, notion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whim	Used when referring to a sudden, unpredictable change of mind or idea, often based on impulse rather than reason. She decided to take a road trip on a whim. Buying that expensive hat was just a whim.
fantasy	Best used when talking about imaginative or unreal ideas, often those that are fanciful, imaginative or rooted in daydreams. She often loses herself in daydreams and fantasy. The book transports readers into a world of fantasy.
notion	Refers to a general idea or understanding, which can be either simple or slightly less formed than a full concept. He had no notion of the difficulties involved. The notion that money can buy happiness is misguided.
conception	Appropriate when discussing an idea or plan that is carefully thought out, often involving understanding, creation, or the starting phase of something. The conception of the new project took months of planning. His conception of a perfect society is very detailed.

Examples of usage

He always has whims about becoming a famous actor.
Her whims about starting her own business never seem to materialize.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle English 'whimsy', which means 'a capricious whim or fancy'.
It may be related to the word 'whim-wham', which refers to a trifle or a whimsy.
The term likely evolved in the 17th century, becoming more common in everyday language.

Psychology

Individuals often make decisions on a whim when they feel spontaneous, which can lead to more creative choices.
Research shows that acting on whims can boost mood and increase happiness because it breaks routine.
People tend to experience regret when they ignore their whims, suggesting that these sudden urges can be significant.

Pop Culture

In literature, whims often drive characters to adventure, showcasing the unpredictable nature of human impulses.
Movies like 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' illustrate the joy of living on a whim and embracing spontaneity.
Musicians sometimes write songs on a whim, capturing the raw emotion of the moment.

Arts

Many artists create works by whims, letting their ideas flow freely rather than following strict plans.
Surrealists celebrated whimsical ideas, allowing the subconscious to guide their creativity.
The whimsical style in art and literature often reflects a sense of childlike wonder.

History

The term was used in the Victorian era to describe fanciful ideas and behaviors that diverged from the norm.
Historical figures like Salvador Dalí embraced whimsy, creating works that defied logic and convention.
In the 18th century, whimsy was recognized as a legitimate theme in poetry and literature, playing on emotion and imagination.

Translations

Translations of the word "whim" in other languages:

🇵🇹 capricho

🇮🇳 मौज

🇩🇪 Laune

🇮🇩 keinginan

🇺🇦 примха

🇵🇱 kaprys

🇯🇵 気まぐれ (kimagure)

🇫🇷 caprice

🇪🇸 capricho

🇹🇷 kapris

🇰🇷 변덕 (byeondeok)

🇸🇦 نزوة

🇨🇿 rozmar

🇸🇰 rozmar

🇨🇳 奇想 (qíxiǎng)

🇸🇮 muhavost

🇮🇸 duttlung

🇰🇿 қызық

🇬🇪 გაბზარვა (gabzarva)

🇦🇿 naz

🇲🇽 capricho

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,530, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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15527 journalistic
15528 competed
15529 ingested
15530 whim
15531 confederation
15532 sedentary
15533 asunder
...