Fantasy
/ˈfæn.tə.si/noun
A genre of imaginative fiction involving magic and other supernatural elements.
Did you know?The word 'fantasy' traces back to the Greek 'phantasia,' meaning 'appearance' or 'imagination,' emphasizing the power of thought to shape reality.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
φαντασία (phantasía)
“The act of appearing or making visible, often related to dreams or visions.”
Late Latin
Latin
phantasia
“Imagination or the faculty of thinking, derived from the earlier Greek term.”
Middle English
Middle English
fantasie
“A product of the imagination or fanciful notion, often associated with dreams.”
Early Modern English
Early Modern English
fantasy
“The capacity to form mental images of things not present, often linked to creativity and fiction.”
Modern English
English
fantasy
“A genre or concept involving magical elements, dreams, and the supernatural.”
Explore more surprising origins