When something is fancy, it's more elaborate, decorative, or expensive than ordinary things. A fancy restaurant has white tablecloths, multiple forks at each place setting, and servers in formal uniforms, while a regular diner has simple tables and casual service. Fancy clothes might have special details like embroidery, lace, or buttons covered in silk, while everyday clothes are plain and practical.

The word can describe objects, places, events, or even ideas. A fancy cake has multiple layers with intricate frosting designs. A fancy word is more sophisticated or complicated than a simple one: “residence” is fancier than “house,” and “astonishing” is fancier than “cool.”

As a verb, to fancy something means to like it or want it, though this usage is more common in British English. “I fancy a piece of chocolate” means “I'd like some chocolate.”

People also use fancy to describe something unnecessarily complicated or showy. When someone criticizes fancy technology in a kitchen gadget, they mean it has features nobody really needs. Sometimes simple and straightforward works better than fancy and complex. The trick is knowing when fancy adds genuine value and when it's just showing off.