fantasy
fantasy — noun
1. An imagined scene or series of events that you wish could happen in real life, e
An imagined scene or series of events that you wish could happen in real life, even though it is very unlikely or impossible.
On long train rides, Nellie escapes into a fantasy where she explores lost temples.
fantasy + where-clause for imagined scenario
Cole's childhood fantasy of becoming a professional athlete never came true, but he still plays.
fantasy + of + gerund
The girl shared a fantasy with her mother about opening a bookshop by the sea.
After watching a nature show, Yumi had a vivid fantasy where she worked as a marine biologist.
fantasy + where-clause for imagined scenario
- childhood fantasy
- escapist fantasy
- indulge in a fantasy
- live out a fantasy
- fantasy world
- reality
the actual state of things as opposed to imagined ones
Grammar Patterns
fantasy + about + noun/gerund
fantasy + of + noun/gerund
Usage Note
Often appears with a prepositional phrase (about / of) or a that-clause to describe the content of the daydream.
Common Mistakes
2. A form of fiction that takes place in a made-up realm, often featuring magic, le
A form of fiction that takes place in a made-up realm, often featuring magic, legendary creatures, and epic journeys.
Amani reads mostly fantasy, especially stories about dragons and wizards.
uncountable: reads fantasy (genre in general)
The fantasy series about a hidden school for young wizards became an international bestseller within months.
Xiu prefers fantasy films because the imaginary worlds feel more vivid than the real one.
fantasy + film / fantasy + series
The bookstore has a whole shelf marked fantasy, with novels about elves and enchanted forests.
- fantasy novel
- fantasy film
- fantasy series
- fantasy writer
- high fantasy
- mythical fiction
less common; overlaps with fantasy but emphasises ancient myths
- sword-and-sorcery
narrower; a subgenre focused on combat and magic
- realistic fiction
stories set in the real world without supernatural elements
- non-fiction
factual writing about real events
Usage Note
When uncountable, refers to the genre as a whole (I enjoy fantasy). When countable, refers to a specific work (a fantasy set in medieval times).
Common Mistakes
3. A musical piece written in a free-flowing form, without following the strict str
A musical piece written in a free-flowing form, without following the strict structural rules that are typical of classical composition.
The pianist closed the concert with a lyrical fantasy by the French composer Debussy.
formal register: a fantasy by [composer]
The young composer wrote a short fantasy for flute and piano as her final project.
During the masterclass, the violinist played a Baroque fantasy without sheet music.
The orchestra opened the evening with a dramatic fantasy based on an old folk tune.
- fantasia
the more common term for this type of free-form musical composition
Usage Note
This sense is largely limited to classical music contexts. In modern usage, fantasia is more common than fantasy for this meaning.
fantasy — adjective
1. Relating to a type of online competition where people select real athletes to fo
Relating to a type of online competition where people select real athletes to form a virtual squad, earning points based on how those athletes perform in actual matches.
Felipe manages a fantasy football team and scores points based on real Sunday matches.
attributive: fantasy football / fantasy team
Every spring, Hari drafts new players for his fantasy baseball league with coworkers.
Kevin won his fantasy basketball league last season thanks to a rookie player.
Élise checks her fantasy team scores every Monday morning before going to work.
- fantasy football
- fantasy baseball
- fantasy league
- fantasy team
- fantasy draft
Grammar Patterns
fantasy + sport
Usage Note
Used only before a noun (attributive). The most common combinations are fantasy football, fantasy baseball, and fantasy sports.
Common Mistakes
fantasy — verb
1. To picture enjoyable situations in your mind that are not real or are very unlik
To picture enjoyable situations in your mind that are not real or are very unlikely to happen, often as a way of escaping your daily life.
On slow days at work, Sirin would fantasy about quitting and sailing around the world.
past habitual: would fantasy about + gerund
As a teenager, Christopher would fantasy about becoming a famous rock musician.
During boring meetings, I sometimes fantasy about walking on a sunny beach.
first-person base form: I fantasy about
Deep inside, Amani would fantasy about moving to a mountain cottage far from the city.
Grammar Patterns
fantasy + about + noun/gerund
Usage Note
This verb is less formal and less common than fantasize in published writing. It is used mostly in informal speech and typically takes about + gerund.