1
: a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy
quit his job on a whim
2
: a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water
Choose the Right Synonym for whim

caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire.

caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Examples of whim in a Sentence

It's hard to predict voters' whims. on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Public health must take its rightful place as a cornerstone of national policy, insulated from political whims and guided by science. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 Fortuna, the goddess of fortune and luck, serves as the muse for this exquisite piece, seamlessly blending elegance with the whims of fate. Catherine Santino, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 Her sonic versatility is on display throughout her debut project, where crooning and reflective 16s cross-sect at her whim. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024 American companies increasingly are threatened by enormous fines and requirements to reshape their organizations and commercial practices, based on the particular whims of different enforcers. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whim 

Word History

Etymology

short for whim-wham

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whim was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near whim

Cite this Entry

“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whim. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

whim

noun
ˈhwim How to pronounce whim (audio)
ˈwim
: an odd or sudden wish, desire, or change of mind

More from Merriam-Webster on whim

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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