fantasize
Americanverb (used without object)
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fantasizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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fantasized,
past participle, past
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fantasizing
present participle
verb (used with object)
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fantasizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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fantasized,
past participle, past
-
fantasizing
present participle
verb
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to conceive extravagant or whimsical ideas, images, etc
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(intr) to conceive pleasant or satisfying mental images
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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fantasizesimple
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fantasizessimple
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have fantasizedperfect
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has fantasizedperfect
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am fantasizingprogressive
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are fantasizingprogressive
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is fantasizingprogressive
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have been fantasizingperfect progressive
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has been fantasizingperfect progressive
Past
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fantasizedsimple
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had fantasizedperfect
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was fantasizingprogressive
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were fantasizingprogressive
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had been fantasizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fantasize
Explanation
To fantasize is to imagine things that are not true and sometimes not possible. We fantasize about things we wish were real. Have you ever daydreamed that you're a king, or a superstar in the NBA, or able to fly? Then you've been fantasizing. Fantasizing is something everyone does, though we all have different fantasies. You can fantasize about things that are possible or impossible, including being the President, riding a unicorn, or being the President of unicorns. You can fantasize about anything you can imagine.
Vocabulary lists containing fantasize
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Some fantasize about running around with their grandchildren.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
We get it: we also fantasize about flowing to sunrise yoga on a Saturday morning, or strengthening our core, seaside, during a rejuvenating Pilates session.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
If you fantasize about retiring abroad, stories of blissful expats will only stoke your desire.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
Yes, one can fantasize about the end result of a good haul, i.e. crab cakes, crab cocktail and/or Crab Louie.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Isn't it funny the way you fantasize about junk food when you're a kid?
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
Humans are probably the only species on Earth that actively fantasizes about its own extinction — and definitely the only one that actively participates in it.
From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026
That might include, she further fantasizes, a technology tool you don’t even notice but that focuses your attention to sound vibrations the way glasses give clarity to blurry vision.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026
Walter Mitty is a term sometimes used to describe a person who fantasizes about a life more interesting and exciting than their own.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026
The book takes place in the fictional hamlet of Swampshire, where Beatrice Steele lives with her family, fantasizes about solving crimes, and worries about what happens to women who step outside their societal spheres.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
Isaac fantasizes about opening a brewery-cum-performance-space, traveling through South America, or operating a sunset massage cruise in the Caribbean.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
At least that’s what one improbable image fantasized in a recent slew of AI-generated “wedding photos” circulating online.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026
What active trader hasn’t fantasized about stepping out of their time-traveling DeLorean in October 1929, 1987 or 2007 with a wad of cash?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
On Weibo, accounts linked to Xu have written that “Having more children can solve all problems” and fantasized about Xu’s children marrying Elon Musk’s children.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025
“He didn't adjust, that was the plan all along,” one fantasized in comments.
From Salon ● May 14, 2025
I’ve fantasized about being here so much, I’ve seen it in my dreams.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Along with fantasizing about exotic locations and charming apartments, we encourage you to spend some time on the boring yet important daily life stuff.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Fans are also fantasizing about an appearance from you on Madonna’s album …
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Pete Golding had spent nearly 20 years in college football, fantasizing about the day when he might become a head coach in the hallowed Southeastern Conference.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
I spent a lot of time fantasizing about the brick-and-mortar bakery I’d open one day.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2025
For once Hazel was fantasizing about the real world.
From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
