noun pl. fancies -·cies

1. imagination, now esp. light, playful, or whimsical imagination
2. illusion or delusion
3. a mental image
4. an arbitrary idea; notion; caprice; whim
5. an inclination, liking, or fondness, often transient to take a fancy to someone
6. Rare critical taste or judgment in art, dress, etc.

Etymology: ME fantsy, contr. < fantasie: see fantasy

adjective fancier -·cier, fanciest -·ci·est

1. based on fancy; capricious; whimsical; fanciful
2. higher than real value; extravagant a fancy price
3. made or added to please the fancy; ornamental; decorated; not plain; elaborate a fancy necktie
4. of superior skill; intricate and difficult fancy diving
5. of superior quality, and therefore more expensive canned goods graded fancy
6. bred for some special feature or excellence of type: said of animals

transitive verb fancied -·cied, fancying -·cy·ing

1. to form an idea of; imagine
2. to have a liking for; be fond of to fancy rich desserts
3. to believe something without being sure; suppose they are, I fancy, still friends