fanciful
/ˈfænsɪfəl/
Group 5Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Overimaginative and unrealistic; existing only in imagination GRE
Example in Context
Economists dismissed the candidate's plan as fanciful, arguing that the projected revenue figures had no basis in reality.
Synonyms
imaginarywhimsicalunrealistic
Etymology
Full of imagination; overly imaginative.
- fantasia (Greek) — imagination
- -ful (Old English) — full of
Memory Aid
🦄Sounds like “fantasy-full”
Picture a unicorn wearing a rainbow tutu at a FANTASY-FULL parade — it’s totally FANCIFUL!
Visual Association
🌈A whimsical landscape filled with flying fish and dancing clouds, showcasing a world of pure imagination.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fanciful” mean on the GRE?
fanciful (adjective) means “Overimaginative and unrealistic; existing only in imagination”. Economists dismissed the candidate's plan as fanciful, arguing that the projected revenue figures had no basis in reality.
How to remember “fanciful” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fanciful” sounds like “fantasy-full”. Picture a unicorn wearing a rainbow tutu at a FANTASY-FULL parade — it’s totally FANCIFUL!
What are synonyms for “fanciful”?
Common synonyms: imaginary, whimsical, unrealistic.