1. existing only in imagination; not based on fact or reality
2. having or showing a playful, creative imagination

Examples

• The children created fanciful stories about dragons and magical kingdoms.
• His fanciful explanation for being late involved aliens and time travel.
• The artist’s fanciful sculptures combined everyday objects in surprising ways.
• She dismissed his business plan as too fanciful to succeed.
• The garden featured fanciful topiaries shaped like animals.
• Critics called the movie’s plot fanciful and unrealistic.
• Her fanciful costume won first prize at the masquerade ball.