Whim
/wɪm/
nounB2
Definition
A whim is a quick, unexpected wish or decision to do something, often without thinking carefully. It usually happens suddenly and can be about small or fun things. People act on whims when they want to try something new or different just for the moment.
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See It in Action
A sudden and unusual desire or change of mind
- •She bought the dress on a whim during her shopping trip.
- •On a whim, he decided to call his old friend after many years.
- •They traveled to the beach on a whim, without any plans.
Acting without careful thought or planning
- •The project changed direction because of the boss’s whim.
- •Sometimes, people make important decisions based on whims, which can be risky.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "whim" like "idea," but a very quick and surprising one that comes suddenly and disappears fast
- ✓Picture a person in a store suddenly deciding to buy a colorful balloon just because it looks fun, without planning to do so
- ✓It's the feeling when you suddenly want ice cream on a cold day, even though you didn’t plan it
- ✓Sounds like "whim" → imagine a small wind (whim) blowing your thoughts quickly and lightly to a new idea
- ✓Think of stories where characters suddenly decide to take a trip or change plans just because of a funny thought
- ✓NOT like "plan" (which is careful and long thought), a whim is quick and without much thinking
- ✓NOT like "habit" (something you do often and regularly), a whim is rare and sudden
- ✓NOT like "wish" (which can be long-held), a whim is sudden and often short-lived
Try Other Words
- •Impulse: a sudden urge to do something (Use when the action is driven by feeling or emotion rather than just a thought)
- •Fancy: a sudden liking or desire (Use in informal or old-fashioned contexts)
- •Notion: a general idea or belief (Use when the idea is less sudden or more general)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix; single root word)
- •Etymology: From Middle English "wim," possibly from Old English "hwim," meaning a sudden turn or twist
- •Historical development: Originally meant a sudden change or turn, later took the meaning of a sudden thought or desire
- •Modern usage: Used to describe quick, unplanned desires or ideas, often light or playful in nature
Reflect & Connect
•Can acting on a whim sometimes lead to good or bad results? Why?
•How do you decide when to follow a whim and when to think carefully first?
Fill in the blanks
1.She bought the expensive shoes on a whim, without any ___ or planning.
2.His decision to move to a new city was made on a ___, surprising everyone.
3.Unlike a careful plan, a whim happens very ___ and without warning.
4.People sometimes regret acting on a whim because they did not ___ the consequences.
5.The artist created the painting on a whim, letting her feelings ___ her work.
6.When someone acts on a whim, they usually do not follow ___ steps or rules.
7.You can tell a whim because it is often sudden, short-lived, and not based on ___ thinking.