fancy

USAGE SUMMARY

"fancy" is a commonly used and accepted word in written English.
You can use "fancy" to describe someone or something that is luxurious, fashionable, or elaborate. Example: John bought a fancy new car to make a good impression on his first date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it were, I'd have my pick of going out or to the gym, traveling home, cooking and still have a window of time to escape through a screen into whatever imaginary medieval/criminal/ New York-ad-industry world takes my fancy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of the company's leading lines, Casillero del Diablo, takes its name from the tale, although it seems unlikely that a 19th-century mining magnate and prominent politician would really have spent his evenings lurking in dank corners wearing fancy dress.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite being bowled out before lunch on the first morning, Warwickshire will fancy their chances of completing a remarkable turnaround, having moved to a position 278 runs ahead with three second-innings wickets intact.

The Guardian - Sport

In Giraldo, he faces a quality Colombian who is at home on the clay, but obviously an opponent against whom he can fancy his chances on any given day.

The Guardian - Sport

If you're after the cliff-edge drama of the West End, but don't fancy slumming it, the Rockhouse is probably for you.

The Guardian - Travel

Cocktails from £4.30, katzensuppe.com Boomshankar, Canacona Boomshankar isn't fancy but it has a big, old-fashioned beach cocktail list and the best sunset spot in Goa – with tables looking over the gorgeous Colomb Bay.

The Guardian - Travel

Now 75 years old, the restaurant attracts celebrities, politicians and well-heeled locals, though it's far from fancy.

The Guardian - Travel

They have just unveiled their fancy new website, which gives us a good excuse to show off some of their work: The 50 best prospects in French football (AKA one for the hipsters).

The Guardian - Sport

She's included, apparently, to mark her victory in a power struggle with Spotify and definitely, absolutely not to enable newspapers to publish a huge picture of her if they fancy giving Forbes some free publicity.

The Guardian - Opinion

He will have one eye on his fancy for the Grand National, the Jim Culloty-trained Spring Heeled, as well as the Championship table on Saturday afternoon, hopeful his side's position at the summit remains intact following Friday's trip to Brighton.

The Guardian - Sport

The camera is trained on Kittel in the yellow jersey, who rides alongside the other fancy jumper incumbents - Jens Voigt in polka dot, Peter Sagan in white and Europcar's Bryan Coquard in green.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fancy" to describe something, consider whether "elegant", "stylish", or "luxurious" might be more precise depending on the context. "Fancy" can sometimes imply unnecessary complexity, so choose your words carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "fancy" as a catch-all term for anything you find vaguely appealing or attractive. It's more effective when describing items or situations that genuinely exhibit elaborate design or luxury. Reserve its usage for cases of clear aesthetic sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The word "fancy" primarily functions as an adjective, describing something elaborate in appearance or design. As shown by Ludwig, it can also function as a verb meaning 'to want' or 'to be attracted to'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Travel

18%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Opinion

6%

Lifestyle

15%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fancy" is a versatile word with multiple grammatical functions, predominantly serving as an adjective but also functioning as a verb. It generally communicates the idea of something being elaborate, stylish, or desired. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is commonly accepted in written English, and the examples provided by Ludwig show its frequent use in news, lifestyle, and travel contexts. When choosing to use "fancy", writers should consider the specific nuance they want to convey, as alternatives like "elegant", "stylish", or "luxurious" may offer greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stylish

Highlights adherence to current trends and good taste in appearance.

elegant

Emphasizes grace and style, shifting the focus from mere ornamentation to refined taste.

sophisticated

Conveys refinement and complexity, implying a level of cultural awareness or worldliness.

luxurious

Focuses on expensiveness and comfort, suggesting a higher level of opulence than "fancy".

elaborate

Stresses the detailed and complex nature of something, often implying extravagance.

ornate

Highlights elaborate decoration, which can be a component of being "fancy" but isn't always necessary.

high-end

Directly indicates premium quality and cost, often used in a commercial context.

upscale

Similar to high-end, but often refers to establishments or areas with a luxurious atmosphere.

premium

Highlights superior quality and value, often used in marketing to denote a top-tier product.

swanky

Implies ostentatious display and attempts at impressing through lavishness.

FAQs

How to use "fancy" in a sentence?

You can use "fancy" to describe something elaborate or luxurious, as in "That's a "fancy restaurant"". It can also mean to be attracted to someone, like "I "fancy her"" or to want something, like "Do you "fancy a drink"?"

What can I say instead of "fancy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "elegant", "stylish", "luxurious", or if expressing desire, "desire".

Which is correct, "fancy" or "fanciful"?

"Fancy" describes something elaborate or liked, while "fanciful" describes something imaginative or whimsical. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "fancy" and "expensive"?

"Fancy" suggests elaborate design or style, while "expensive" simply means costing a lot of money. Something can be expensive without being fancy, and vice versa.