What is Fancy in English? The correct usage of Fancy in English!

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The word "fancy" presents a fascinating puzzle in English. This versatile term shifts meanings like a chameleon, adapting to different contexts and regions. Whether you're describing an elaborate wedding dress, expressing attraction to someone, or simply wanting a cup of tea, "fancy" plays distinct roles that can confuse even advanced learners. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the core meanings, regional differences, and practical applications of fancy in English, ensuring you use this word with complete confidence across all English-speaking contexts.

I. What is Fancy in English?

What is fancy in English? Let's explore the definition and some words/phrases associated with fancy in English!

1. Definition

What is fancy in English? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, fancy English is pronounced as /ˈfænsi/. It can be a verb, noun, or adjective with various meanings in different contexts. Understanding the fancy meaning is essential for proper usage across different English-speaking regions.

What is Fancy in English?		Example
Part of speech	Meaning	Example
Verb	to like the idea of having or doing something	She fancies a trip to the beach this weekend. Do you fancy going out for dinner tonight?
	to think or have a certain feeling or impression (that)	I fancied I saw a ghost in the old abandoned house. She fancied she could hear someone whispering in the hallway.
	to have a strong sexual interest in (a person)	He secretly fancies his colleague and often tries to impress her. Anna fancies him, but she's not sure if he feels the same way.
Noun	a sudden (often unexpected) liking or desire	She has a fancy for collecting seashells whenever she visits the beach. His sudden fancy for painting surprised everyone because he had never shown an interest in art before.
	the power of the mind to imagine things	The play was a delightful blend of reality and fancy. Children have an incredible fancy that allows them to create imaginary worlds and characters.
	something imagined	The unicorn in the story was a beautiful fancy created by the author's imagination. The artist's sculptures were abstract fancies inspired by shapes found in nature.
Adjective	decorated; not plain	She wore a fancy necklace to the party. The living room was filled with fancy furniture. furniture.

So, have you found the answer to the question "What is fancy in English?" With these mentioned meanings, pay attention to the appropriate usage of fancy in English based on different English contexts!

2. "Fancy" Across Cultures: British vs. American English

Aspect	British English	American English	Key Difference
Verb Usage (Wanting)	"I fancy a coffee" / "Do you fancy going out?" - Common and natural	Rarely used - prefer "I want" / "Would you like"	British embrace verb form; Americans avoid it
Verb Usage (Attraction)	"I fancy him/her" - Standard way to express romantic interest	Almost never used - prefer "I like" / "I'm attracted to"	Can cause confusion in American contexts
Adjective Usage	"Fancy restaurant" / "Fancy dress" - Consistent usage	"Fancy restaurant" / "Fancy clothes" - Same meaning	No significant difference
Noun Usage	"Flights of fancy" / "Passing fancy" - Literary/formal contexts	"Flights of fancy" / "Passing fancy" - Same usage	Consistent across both varieties
Communication Tip	Use verb forms freely in British contexts	Avoid verb forms; use alternatives like "want" or "like"	Know your audience to prevent misunderstanding

3. Words and phrases used with Fancy in English

After understanding the fancy meaning in English, let's refer to the words and phrases commonly used with fancy in English to emphasize its meaning!

Words/ phrases used with Fancy in English	Meaning	Example
fancy-free	able to do anything you like because you do not have a family or other responsibilities	He enjoys his fancy-free lifestyle, with no commitments holding him back.
fancy man	a man that a married woman has a sexual relationship with, who is not her husband	She discreetly met up with her fancy man at a cozy cafe in town.
fancy woman	a woman that a married man has a sexual relationship with, who is not his wife	He showered his fancy woman with expensive gifts and lavish vacations.
fancy dress	clothes that you wear, especially to parties, that make you look like a famous person, a character from a story etc	I thought Jenny was in fancy dress.
fancy goods	small attractive objects that are sold as gifts or souvenirs (=things you buy in a place to remind you of it after you have left it)	The tourist shop was filled with a variety of fancy goods, including keychains, magnets, and miniature landmarks.
fancy somebody rotten	to be extremely attracted to someone in a sexual way – used humorously	Ever since they met at the party, he's been fancying her rotten.
take/ tickle somebody’s fancy	to seem attractive or amusing to someone	The thought of going on an adventure trip to the Amazon tickled his fancy.
flight of fancy	thoughts, ideas etc that are full of imagination but that are not practical or sensible	His plan to build a house entirely out of recycled materials was just a flight of fancy.
fancy someone's chances	to think that someone is likely to succeed	After seeing her performance in the auditions, I really fancy her chances of landing the lead role.
strike your fancy	appeal to someone.	The colorful artwork at the gallery really struck my fancy.

Besides understanding what fancy in English is, let's remember the words/phrases associated with fancy in English in the above table to use them accurately in fancy English contexts!

Words and phrases used with Fancy in English

II. Usage of Fancy in English

So, how to use fancy in English? Let's grasp the structures of fancy in English when it functions as a verb in English:

Structure	Example
S + fancy + V-ing + something	She fancies taking a road trip across the country during her summer break. He fancies trying out a new recipe for dinner tonight.
Fancy + V-ing!	Fancy meeting you at this event! Fancy seeing you at the concert last night!
S + fancy + O + to + V-inf + something	I fancy him to become a successful entrepreneur in the future. She fancies herself to be a great singer, even though she has never had any formal training.
S + fancy + somebody/ something	He fancies a cup of hot chocolate on this chilly evening. He fancies his co-worker and has been trying to find ways to spend more time with her.
S + fancy + (that) + clause	She fancied that she was living in a fairytale. They fancied that they could see a rainbow in this distance.
S + fancy oneself + (as) + Noun	He fancies himself (as) a brilliant writer. He fancies himself (as) a master chef.
S + fancy oneself + Adverb/Preposition	Jenny fancied herself in love with me, the silly girl. They fancied themselves on top of the world, basking in their achievements.

After learning the structures of Fancy in English in the table above, you must have distinguished and understood the difference between Fancy to V and Ving, right?

III. Synonyms of Fancy in English

In addition to the word fancy in English, we can flexibly use other synonyms to replace fancy in English in different situations. Let's explore some synonyms of fancy in English!

Synonyms of Fancy in English	Meaning	Example
imagine /ɪˈmædʒɪn/	to like the idea of having or doing something	Close your eyes and imagine yourself on a beautiful beach. He couldn't imagine a life without his best friend.
dream of /ˌdriːm av/		She dreams of becoming a famous singer one day. I often dream of traveling around the world and experiencing different cultures.
picture /ˈpɪktʃə(r)/		Can you picture yourself living in a cozy cottage in the countryside? Jenny pictures a peaceful garden with blooming flowers in her house.
conceive of /kənˈsiːv av/		It's hard to conceive of a world without technology in today's digital age. He conceived of a groundbreaking invention that would revolutionize the industry.
think /θɪŋk/	to think or have a certain feeling or impression (that)	I think it's going to rain later today. She thinks that learning a new language can be challenging but rewarding.
believe /bɪˈliːv/		She believes in herself and her ability to achieve her goals. He believes that hard work and determination lead to success.
suppose /səˈpəʊz/		I suppose we could meet for dinner at 7 PM if that works for you.
conjecture /kənˈdʒektʃə(r)/		Scientists are still conjecturing about the cause of the mysterious phenomenon.
surmise /səˈmaɪz/		I surmise that she must be feeling happy. They surmised that the project would be completed ahead of schedule.
like /laɪk/	to have a strong sexual interest in (a person)	She likes the taste of chocolate ice cream. They like to go hiking on weekends.
enjoy /ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/		I enjoy playing the guitar as a way to relax. She enjoys spending time with her family on the weekends.
long for /lɒŋ fə(r)/		He longs for the day when he could travel the world. She longs for the warmth of summer during the cold winter months.
be fond of /bi fɒnd av/		I am fond of watching romantic comedies. They are fond of trying new and exotic foods.

So, besides understanding what fancy in English is, you now know other common synonymous words to replace fancy in English, right?

IV. Distinguishing Fancy and Enjoy

Many learners often confuse fancy in English and Enjoy and use them inappropriately in certain contexts. Let's differentiate between Enjoy and fancy in English!

	Fancy	Enjoy
Similarity	Both convey the meaning of "to take delight or pleasure in (an activity or occasion)".
Difference	Nuance leans towards desiring something.	Nuance leans towards savoring, and relishing.
Example	He fancies a luxurious vacation in Dubai. They fancy a romantic dinner by candlelight and flowers.	Jenny enjoys reading books in her spare time. They enjoy hiking in the mountains.

After understanding the difference in nuances between Enjoy and fancy in English, pay attention to using them accurately in different fancy English contexts!

V. Exercises on using Fancy in English with answers

After learning the definition of fancy in English and its structures, let's work on a small exercise provided by PREP to practice using the structure of fancy in English and fully understand how to use fancy in English!

Exercise: Put the correct form of the verbs in brackets

I fancy _______ (read) a good book this weekend.
They fancy _______ (take) a long walk in the park.
We fancy our team _______ (win) the championship this season.
They fancy their daughter _______ (become) a successful lawyer because of her strong argumentative skills.
Fancy _______ (meet) you at the same restaurant!
We fancy ______ (watch) a movie at the cinema tonight.
I fancy Jenny ______ (become) a successful person in the future.
We fancy our friend ______ (excel) in his new job due to his dedication and skills.
She fancies ______ (learn) how to play the guitar in her free time.
I fancy my sister ______ (achieve) great success in her career.

Answer:

1. reading	2. taking	3. to win	4. to become	5. meeting
6. watching	7. to become	8. to excel	9. learning	10. to achieve

VI. Boost Your Confidence With Expert-Led Training

Now you have a clear understanding of "What is Fancy in English?" and "How to use Fancy in English?", right? This article has compiled all the theoretical knowledge about Fancy in English, along with providing common synonyms and words/phrases associated with Fancy in English. If you want expert feedback on your progress, explore our personalized IELTS mentorship programs below:

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Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.