fantastic

I. adjective also fantastical Etymology: Middle English fantastic, fantastical, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French fantastique, from Late Latin phantasticus, from Greek phantastikos producing mental images, from phantazein to present to the mind — more at fancy Date: 14th century 1. a. based on fantasy ; not real b. conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy c. so extreme as to challenge belief ; unbelievable; broadly exceedingly large or great 2. marked by extravagant fantasy or extreme individuality ; eccentric 3. (fantastic) excellent, superlative <

a fantastic meal

> • fantasticality noun • fantasticalness noun Synonyms: fantastic, bizarre, grotesque mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality. fantastic may connote unrestrained extravagance in conception or merely ingenuity of decorative invention <

dreamed up fantastic rumors to spread

>. bizarre applies to the sensationally queer or strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination <

a bizarre medieval castle built in the heart of a modern city

>. grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones <

grotesque statues adorn the cathedral

> <

though grief-stricken, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

>. Synonym: see in addition imaginary. II. noun Date: 1598 eccentric 2