What does fancy mean in the English language?

"Fancy" is a word with a surprisingly wide range of meanings in English. Here's a breakdown of its common uses:

1. Adjective:

* Elegant and stylish: This is the most common meaning. "She wore a fancy dress to the party."

* Elaborate and showy: "He built a fancy birdhouse with intricate carvings."

* Expensive and high-quality: "They stayed in a fancy hotel in Paris."

* Uncommon and unusual: "He has a fancy for collecting antique coins."

2. Verb:

* To like or desire: "Do you fancy going to the cinema tonight?"

* To imagine or think: "I fancy I saw her at the market."

* To embellish or decorate: "They fancified the plain room with colorful curtains."

3. Noun:

* A whim or a sudden desire: "I had a sudden fancy to bake a cake."

* An idea or notion: "I have a fancy that it might rain."

4. Informal Slang:

* Attractive or appealing: "She's a fancy lady."

Example Sentences:

* Elegant: "She had a fancy taste in clothing."

* Elaborate: "The wedding cake was decorated with fancy frosting designs."

* Expensive: "They ate at a fancy restaurant downtown."

* Like or Desire: "Do you fancy a cup of coffee?"

* Imagine: "I fancy that I hear the wind blowing."

The meaning of "fancy" often depends on the context and the other words in the sentence.