fan·cy / ˈfansē/ • adj. (-ci·er, -ci·est) elaborate in structure or decoration: a fancy computerized system. ∎  designed to impress: converted fishing boats with fancy new names. ∎  (esp. of foodstuffs) of high quality: fancy molasses. ∎  (of flowers) of two or more colors. ∎  (of an animal) bred to develop particular points of appearance: fancy goldfish.• v. (-cies, -cied) [tr.] 1. feel a desire or liking for: do you fancy a drink? ∎  (fancy oneself) inf. have an unduly high opinion of oneself, or of one's ability in a particular area: he fancied himself an amateur psychologist.2. imagine; think: he fancied he could smell the perfume of roses.• n. (pl. -cies) 1. a feeling of liking or attraction, typically one that is superficial or transient: this does not mean that the law should change with every passing fancy.2. the faculty of imagination: my research assistant is prone to flights of fancy. ∎  a thing that one supposes or imagines, typically an unfounded or tentative belief or idea; notion or whim: scientific fads and fancies.PHRASES: take (or catch) someone's fancy appeal to someone: she'll grab any toy that takes her fancy.DERIVATIVES: fan·ci·ly / ˈfansəlē/ adv.fan·ci·ness n.

fancy arbitrary or capricious preference, individual taste XV; imagination XVI; invention XVII. Early forms fantsy, fansey; contr. of FANTASY.
Hence vb. XVI.

fancy. Eng. 16th- and 17th-cent. equivalent of fantasia.