1
: a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy
quit his job on a whim
2
: a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water
Synonyms
Examples of whim in a Sentence
It's hard to predict voters' whims.
on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream
Recent Examples on the Web
Some cocoa farmers see buyers like Mr. Maloney as allies who protect them from the whims of the financial markets.
—
J. Edward Moreno, New York Times, 10 May 2024
In recent years, it's become an opportunity for celebrities, designers, and fashion's most influential figures to try out their most outrageous and daring style whims—which is why the biggest trend of the 2024 Met Gala may have been the most unexpected.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for whim 
J. Edward Moreno, New York Times, 10 May 2024
In recent years, it's become an opportunity for celebrities, designers, and fashion's most influential figures to try out their most outrageous and daring style whims—which is why the biggest trend of the 2024 Met Gala may have been the most unexpected.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for whim
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near whim
Cite this Entry
“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whim. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whim
noun
ˈhwim 
ˈwim
: an odd or sudden wish, desire, or change of mind
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