fantastic
fantastic
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fantastic" is /fænˈtæst.ɪk/.
fan: /fæn/
tas: /ˈtæst/
tic: /ɪk/
Word Form Variations
Adjective: fantastic, fantastical
Noun: fantastic (singular, less common; refers to a fanciful person or thing), fantastics (plural), fantasy (related noun)
Adverb: fantastically
Verb: fantasize (related verb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Fantastic
Extraordinarily good or attractive; excellent.
Synonyms: wonderful, marvelous, superb, amazing, brilliant, excellent
Antonyms: terrible, awful, dreadful, mediocre, ordinary, poor
Existing only in imagination; based on fantasy or illusion; wildly improbable or unrealistic.
Synonyms: imaginary, fanciful, bizarre, unreal, improbable, outlandish
Antonyms: real, factual, realistic, plausible, ordinary, mundane
Of an extremely large or great amount or degree.
Synonyms: enormous, tremendous, huge, immense, exorbitant, colossal
Antonyms: tiny, small, minimal, negligible, paltry
Examples of Use
Books
Children's Literature: Many classic stories feature "fantastic creatures" or "fantastic adventures." J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a direct example (Scholastic, September 2013).
Fiction: Authors often describe settings or experiences as "fantastic." "The view from the mountaintop was absolutely fantastic." A character might recount a "fantastic dream."
Non-fiction: While less common for the "excellent" sense, authors might use it to describe something improbable or imaginative. "The theory, while fantastic, offered a new perspective."
Newspapers
Reviews (Arts/Food/Sports): Critics frequently use "fantastic" to praise. "The new restaurant offers a fantastic culinary experience" (The Boston Globe, May 2025). A concert review might describe a performance as "fantastic and energetic."
Feature Stories: A report on a scientific breakthrough might call it a "fantastic achievement." A profile on a successful individual might highlight their "fantastic journey."
Headlines: "Local Team Pulls Off Fantastic Upset Win" (The Daily Herald, June 2025).
Online Publications
Product Reviews: Tech and consumer product reviewers use "fantastic" to rate quality. "The camera takes fantastic photos even in low light" (Wirecutter, March 2024).
Travel Blogs: Bloggers often describe destinations or experiences as "fantastic." "We had a fantastic time exploring the ancient ruins."
Social Media: Users commonly express excitement or approval. "What a fantastic idea!" or "The concert last night was fantastic!"
Gaming News: Websites might cover "the fantastic new features in the upcoming game update."
10 Quotes Using Fantastic
"Science fiction is a way of writing about the world and seeing it in a fantastic way, not in a scientific way." (Ray Bradbury)
"The power of imagination makes us infinite. It allows us to create the most fantastic worlds." (John Masefield)
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is a fantastic truth in every aspect of life." (Aristotle, though the specific phrasing with "fantastic" is more of an interpretation or modern application of his philosophy)
"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. Make it fantastic." (Danny Kaye)
"I believe in all that is yet to be discovered. It’s fantastic to think about what is out there." (Stephen Hawking)
"It is a fantastic feeling to be recognized for something you have loved doing all your life." (Dame Judi Dench)
"To be fantastic is to be yourself, unapologetically." (Unknown)
"My earliest memory of acting is being in a school play and thinking, 'This is fantastic.'" (Ewan McGregor)
"What a fantastic opportunity we have to make a real difference in the world." (Oprah Winfrey)
"The future is fantastic, and it will be what we make of it." (Elon Musk)
Etymology
The word "fantastic" comes from the Greek word "phantastikos," which means "able to imagine" or "imaginary." This itself is related to "phantasia," meaning "appearance" or "imagination." So, at its root, it's about things that appear in the mind or are products of imagination.
The first known use of "fantastic" in English dates back to the late 14th century, initially meaning "existing only in imagination; unreal or imaginary." It appeared in texts to describe something wild, bizarre, or a product of fantasy. Over time, its meaning evolved to include "extraordinarily good" or "excellent," which became a very common use.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fantastic
Fantastic voyage: An extraordinary or imaginative journey. "Reading this book felt like a fantastic voyage into another dimension."
Fantastic opportunity: A superb or excellent chance. "This job offer is a fantastic opportunity for your career."
Fantastic news: Extremely good news. "We just received fantastic news about the project's funding."
Fantastic results: Excellent or highly impressive outcomes. "The research produced fantastic results for the new treatment."
Fantastic effort: A remarkably good or dedicated attempt. "The team put in a fantastic effort despite the challenges."
Fantastic imagination: A highly creative and vivid ability to form new ideas or images. "Children often have a truly fantastic imagination."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fantastic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
