■ verb ( fancies , ~ing , fancied )
1》 Brit. informal feel a desire for.
↘find sexually attractive.
2》 Brit. regard as a likely winner.
3》 imagine.
↘ chiefly Brit. used to express surprise: ~ that!
■ adjective ( fancier , fanciest ) elaborate or highly decorated.
↘sophisticated or expensive.
↘ chiefly N. Amer. (especially of foodstuffs) of high quality.
↘(of flowers) of two or more colours.
↘(of an animal) bred to develop particular points of appearance.
■ noun ( plural fancies )
1》 a superficial or transient feeling of attraction.
↘a favourite in a race or other sporting contest.
2》 the faculty of imagination.
↘an unfounded or tentative belief or idea.
3》 (also ~ cake ) Brit. a small iced cake or biscuit.
Phrases
take (or catch ) someone's ~ appeal to someone.
take a ~ to become fond of, especially without an obvious reason.
Derivatives
fancily adverb
fanciness noun
Origin
ME: contr. of fantasy .