n., adj., & v.
n. (pl. -ies) 1 an individual taste or inclination (take a fancy to). 2 a caprice or whim. 3 a thing favoured, e.g. a horse to win a race. 4 an arbitrary supposition. 5 a the faculty of using imagination or of inventing imagery. b a mental image. 6 delusion; unfounded belief. 7 (prec. by the) those who have a certain hobby; fanciers, esp. patrons of boxing.
adj. (usu. attrib.) (fancier, fanciest) 1 ornamental; not plain. 2 capricious, whimsical, extravagant (at a fancy price). 3 based on imagination, not fact. 4 US (of foods etc.) above average quality. 5 (of flowers etc.) particoloured. 6 (of an animal) bred for particular points of beauty etc.
v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (foll. by that + clause) be inclined to suppose; rather think. 2 Brit. colloq. feel a desire for (do you fancy a drink?). 3 Brit. colloq. find sexually attractive. 4 colloq. have an unduly high opinion of (oneself, one's ability, etc.). 5 (in imper.) an exclamation of surprise (fancy their doing that!). 6 picture to oneself; conceive, imagine. catch (or take) the fancy of please; appeal to. fancy dress fanciful costume, esp. for masquerading as a different person or as an animal etc. at a party. fancy-free without (esp. emotional) commitments. fancy goods ornamental novelties etc. fancy man sl. derog. 1 a woman's lover. 2 a pimp. fancy woman sl. derog. a mistress. fancy-work ornamental sewing etc. fanciable adj. (in sense 3 of v.). fancily adv. fanciness n.
[ contr. of FANTASY ]