Meaning & use
fantasizing
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“fantasizing” is a form of “fantasize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Imagining pleasant or exciting situations that are unlikely to happen, often as a form of escape or desire.
Grammar: Often followed by 'about' or 'that'. No object is needed.
Patterns
- fantasize about something
- fantasize that ...
She spent the afternoon fantasizing about a life by the sea.
He was fantasizing that he had won the lottery.
Stop fantasizing and start working on your real goals.
verbintransitive
Indulging in daydreams or unrealistic ideas, sometimes as a symptom of a mental condition.
Grammar: Often used in progressive tenses; can be followed by 'about'.
Patterns
- be fantasizing about something
Patients may report fantasizing about harming themselves.
He was fantasizing about escaping his daily routine.
Word forms
| base form | fantasize |
|---|---|
| third person singular | fantasizes |
| past tense | fantasized |
| past participle | fantasized |
| -ing form | fantasizing |
Common combinations
- fantasize about someone
- Teenagers often fantasize about their favorite celebrities.
- fantasize about doing something
- She often fantasizes about quitting her job and traveling.
- spend time fantasizing
- He spends hours fantasizing instead of studying.
Synonyms and how they differ
- daydream
- Similar, but daydreaming is often more neutral and can be about pleasant thoughts that are not necessarily unrealistic.
- imagine
- A broader term; 'fantasize' specifically suggests unrealistic or wishful thinking.
Opposites
Word family
- fantasy noun
- A pleasant but unlikely situation that you imagine.
- fantasist noun
- A person who frequently fantasizes or tells unrealistic stories.
Commonly confused: fantasizing or fantisizing?
fantasizing vs fantisizing
This is a common misspelling. The correct spelling is 'fantasizing' with 'a' after 't'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'fantasizing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The verb 'fantasize' is followed by 'about' when talking about what you imagine. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fantasizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.