15 Synonyms for “Fancy”

Do you want to know the best way to spice up your adjectives like “fancy”?

Perhaps you’re worried the word is overused or inappropriate for certain contexts.

Don’t worry, though! That’s where we come in.

This article will show you how to say “fancy” in other words, to help you mix things up depending on your tone.

Other Ways to Say “Fancy”

  • Sophisticated
  • Dazzling
  • Stylish
  • Ornate
  • Elegant
  • Extravagant
  • Opulent
  • Fashionable
  • Decorative
  • Lavish
  • Chic
  • Glamorous
  • Refined
  • Swanky
  • High-class

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • “Fancy” is a great adjective to use when you think something is elaborate or well-decorated.
  • Try “sophisticated” if you want a more formal synonym that’ll help you to mix things up.
  • “Dazzling” works wonders as an informal adjective alternative if you want to change your tone.

So, read on to learn what to say instead of “fancy.” We’ve touched on the best formal and informal alternatives to give you a better idea of how they’re going to work.

You can also read the last heading to learn when “fancy” is correct. Then, you’ll be much better equipped when it comes to using it in your writing.

Sophisticated (Formal)

It may be worth starting with “sophisticated” as another way to say “fancy.” This is perhaps one of the most popular choices if you’re looking for something more professional.

Generally, you can use this word when you want to be sincere and complimentary.

When something is “sophisticated,” it means it’s very high-end and quite impressive to look at.

So, it’s worth using this when messaging your boss. You might have recently visited their house for a dinner party. This could be a great way to thank them and compliment them.

Check out this message sample if you still need help:

You hosted quite a sophisticated affair. I’m so proud you extended me the honor of visiting your home.

It’s also useful to include something like this when writing about a product. It could be a good way to entice customers to buy it if you describe it as sophisticated.

This product description sample should also show you more about how it works:

This is one of the most sophisticated products we’ve released in a while. You certainly won’t want to miss out on this.

Dazzling (Informal)

For something a bit more informal, you can write “dazzling.”

This is a fun and light-hearted adjective to include in your writing. It will often help to spice things up and show that you’re happy with how elaborate or fancy something is.

Generally, you can use this when writing a novel. It’s a good descriptive word that shows someone or something is impressive.

This sample will help you to understand it if you’re still unsure:

It was a dazzling house. I couldn’t quite believe what I was looking at, but I knew I wanted to see more.

It’s also good when messaging friends. You can use it when you want to describe a fancy person you might have seen recently, as it shows you were caught off guard by them.

You can also review this example to learn more:

He looked dazzling in his outfit. I didn’t think people actually dressed like that, but now I’m jealous!

Is It Correct to Say “Fancy”?

It is correct to say “fancy.”

In this context, we’ve been using it as an adjective.

Generally, “fancy” as an adjective means that something is elaborate or high-class.

So, it’s a great way to show how impressed you are with something. Generally, the reader will understand what you mean, as they’ll often have a good idea of how fancy something is themselves.

You can refer to these examples to learn a bit more about how it works:

I couldn’t believe how fancy he looked last night. I’m not sure how he managed to get away with wearing that.

This is a fancy bottle of wine. I doubt I could afford it normally, but I’m so happy I get to try it now.

As you can see, “fancy” is a simple yet effective way to describe something that’s surprising or elegant.

Also, you can bookmark this page before you go. Then, you can come back here to remind yourself of the best synonyms for “fancy” when you feel like you need to branch out.