- 1 unusually complicated, often in an unnecessary way; intended to impress other people a kitchen full of fancy gadgets They added a lot of fancy footwork to the dance. He's always using fancy legal words. opposite simple
- 2[only before noun] (especially of small things) with a lot of decorations or bright colours fancy goods (= things sold as gifts or for decoration) He was the fanciest dresser in the room. compare plain
- 3(sometimes disapproving) expensive or connected with an expensive way of life fancy restaurants with fancy prices Don't come back with any fancy ideas.
- 4(North American English) (of food) of high quality Word Originlate Middle English: contraction of fantasy.
Check pronunciation: fancy
