Pronunciation: fan- ' tas-tik, f ə n-
Variant: also fan · tas · ti · cal \ -ti-k ə l \
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English fantastic, fantastical, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French fantastique, from Late Latin phantasticus, from Greek phantastikos producing mental images, from phantazein to present to the mind ― more at FANCY
Date: 14th century
1 a : based on fantasy : not real b : conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy c : so extreme as to challenge belief : UNBELIEVABLE broadly : exceedingly large or great
2 : marked by extravagant fantasy or extreme individuality : ECCENTRIC
3 fantastic : EXCELLENT , SUPERLATIVE <a fantastic meal>
– fan · tas · ti · cal · i · ty \ ( ˌ )fan- ˌ tas-t ə - ' ka-l ə -t ē , f ə n- \ noun
– fan · tas · ti · cal · ness \ - ' tas-t ə -k ə l-n ə s \ noun
synonyms FANTASTIC , BIZARRE , GROTESQUE mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality. FANTASTIC may connote unrestrained extravagance in conception or merely ingenuity of decorative invention <dreamed up fantastic rumors to spread>. BIZARRE applies to the sensationally queer or strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination <a bizarre medieval castle built in the heart of a modern city>. GROTESQUE may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones < grotesque statues adorn the cathedral> <though grief-stricken, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile>. synonym see in addition IMAGINARY