SpeakUp

fancy — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrase2 meanings
  1. 1 feel like eatingto feel like having a particular food or drink
  2. 2 feel like having or doingto feel that you would like something or would like to do something

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

feel like eating

B1fancy sthspokeninformalMost common

to feel like having a particular food or drink

I really fancy a curry tonight — shall we order in?

Do you fancy anything from the bakery while I'm out?

I fancy a pizza tonight. (feel like eating it)
I fancy going out tonight. (feel like doing it)

Common mistake

✗I fancy to eat something sweet.

✓I fancy something sweet. / I fancy eating something sweet.

'Fancy' takes a noun or -ing, never 'to + verb'.

Tell it apart

I fancy a pizza tonight.

feel like eating it

I fancy going out tonight.

feel like doing it
Very British; means 'want' or 'feel like having'.Not the same as 'fancy someone', which means to be attracted to them.
Practice saying this →
2

feel like having or doing

B1fancy sthspokeninformal

to feel that you would like something or would like to do something

Do you fancy a cup of tea?

I don't really fancy going out tonight, to be honest.

Do you fancy a coffee? (feel like having one)
I think she fancies you. (finds you attractive)

Common mistake

✗Do you fancy to go out tonight?

✓Do you fancy going out tonight?

'Fancy' is followed by -ing or a noun, never 'to + verb'.

Tell it apart

Do you fancy a coffee?

feel like having one

I think she fancies you.

finds you attractive
Extremely common British way to ask or say what someone wants. Often 'Fancy a...?'Different from 'fancy' meaning to be attracted to someone ('He fancies her').
Practice saying this →

Turn this into speaking practice

Practise one meaning at a time and save the ones you mix up for review.

feel like eatingfeel like having or doing