To be somewhat silly or goofy, while still having a certian amount of sophistication; sort of like having a mellowly comical behavior. If you think of the humorous frivolity of silly inventions, such as the works of Rube Goldberg, you have discovered the essence of 'whimsical'.

I found the other definitions here lacking in depth and only giving synonyms or a very brief sentence. If you look at the context it is frequently used in, the word 'whimsical' doesn't really have any direct synonyms. It has a meaning all it's own.

Whim"si*cal (?), a. [From Whimsey.]

1.

Full of, or characterized by, whims; actuated by a whim; having peculiar notions; queer; strange; freakish.

"A whimsical insult."

Macaulay.

My neighbors call me whimsical. Addison.

2.

Odd or fantastic in appearance; quaintly devised; fantastic.

"A whimsical chair."

Evelyn.

Syn. -- Quaint; capricious; fanciful; fantastic.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.