fantastical

Fantastical is an adjective used to describe things related to fantasy or formed by imagination. It can refer to elements in literature, art, or everyday life that feel dreamlike, imaginative, or unreal. The term often carries connotations of whimsy, extravagance, or surrealism, and it can describe both settings and objects that depart from ordinary reality.

Etymology and sense development: Fantastical comes from the word fantasy, with the -al suffix forming an adjective. In Early Modern English, the term began to be used to emphasize imaginative or imaginative-with-absurd qualities. Over time, fantastical acquired nuances of whimsy and surrealism, as well as a sense of the improbable or extraordinary.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary writing and criticism, fantastical tends to signal a deliberate immersion in the realm of the fantastical—imagined worlds, magical creatures, or dreamlike atmospheres. It can convey admiration for creativity as well as a sense that what is described does not adhere to ordinary laws of reality. It is distinct from fantastic in that fantastical often foregrounds the imaginative or surreal nature of the subject, whereas fantastic can also simply mean excellent or extraordinary in informal use.

Related terms include mythical, magical, surreal, and whimsical. Examples: a fantastical landscape filled with impossible plants; a fantastical tale where clocks walk and rivers sing. The word remains a useful descriptor for art and narrative that prioritizes imagination over realism.