fancy — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

collocation2 meanings

fancy

feel like having or doing

be attracted to someone

Meaning 1 · most common

feel like having or doing

fancy sth
informal

A scene showing “fancy” meaning “want something”.

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

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Do you fancy a cup of tea?

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

Common mistake

Not: Do you fancy ~~to go~~ out tonight?

Say: Do you fancy going out tonight?

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

More on “feel like having or doing”Another example · Tell it apart · Tip

Another example

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

Tell it apart

Do you fancy a coffee?

feel like having one

I think she fancies you.

finds you attractive

Practice saying this

Next meaning: be attracted to someone

Meaning 2

be attracted to someone

fancy sb
informal

To find someone romantically or physically attractive (informal, mainly British).

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I think Jake fancies you — he keeps looking over here.

A: Do you fancy anyone at work?
B: No way! I'd never date someone from the office.

Common mistake

Not: ~~I'm fancying~~ her.

Say: I fancy her.

Like 'like' and 'love', this meaning isn't normally used in the continuous.

More on “be attracted to someone”Another example · Tell it apart · Tip

Another example

When I was at school, I fancied a boy in my class, but I was far too shy to tell him.

Tell it apart

I fancy her.

find her attractive

I fancy a pizza.

feel like having one

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

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feel like having or doing be attracted to someone