Definition of fantasy

The word “fantasy” can be traced back to the 14th century, where it was first used in Middle English. At the time, it was spelled as “fantasie” and meant “a creative or imaginative thought” or “a mental vision or image”. This usage can be traced back to the Latin “phantasia”, which meant “an inner perception” or “an impression on the mind”. The prefix “fan-” in “fantasy”, which is often mistakenly thought to have a negative connotation, actually derives from the Old French word “fant”, which meant “imagination” or “fancy”. In Middle English, this prefix took on the meaning of “intense”, “extreme”, or “unusual”. The word “fantasy” was further refined in the 16th century, when it came to be associated specifically with works of imaginative fiction. This usage paralleled the emergence of the novel as a literary genre distinct from poetry and drama. In modern English, the meaning of “fantasy” has expanded to include a wide variety of imaginative and creative works, from literature and music to film and television. Today, “fantasy” is commonly used to refer to genres of media that incorporate elements of mythology, magic, and supernatural beings. The word also has a colloquial usage, where it is used to describe daydreams or fanciful ideas. In short, the word “fantasy” derives from the Middle English “fantasie”, which came from the Latin “phantasia”, and means “a creative or imaginative thought”, encompassing everything from daydreams to literary genres.