The word "fantastical" is spelled as /fænˈtæstɪkəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is derived from the word "fantastic," with the addition of the suffix "-al." The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as the short "a" sound, while the "o" in the second syllable is pronounced as the short "uh" sound. The stress is on the second syllable. The word describes something imaginative, imaginary, or whimsical. Its spelling makes it clear that it is related to the word "fantastic."
Fantastical is an adjective that describes something as imaginative, fanciful, or unreal. It refers to things that exist only in one's mind or in the realm of imagination, rather than in reality. This term is commonly used to describe elements of stories, literature, or artwork that contain elements of fantasy or make-believe.
When something is described as fantastical, it typically suggests an element of whimsy, magic, or extraordinary nature. It can refer to fantastical creatures, such as dragons, unicorns, or mythical creatures that are not found in the natural world. Similarly, fantastical landscapes or settings may include enchanted forests, hidden realms, or faraway galaxies that do not exist in reality.
The use of the term fantastical conveys a sense of wonder, fascination, and escapism. It often denotes a departure from the ordinary and a journey into the extraordinary. Fantastical elements are often employed to create an immersive and captivating experience for the audience, whether that be in a book, a movie, or a piece of art.
In summary, fantastical is a word used to describe something that is beyond reality, existing only in the realm of imagination or fantasy. It conveys a sense of wonder and fascination, often describing elements or aspects that are magical, extraordinary, or unreal.
Imaginary; fanciful; unreal; full of absurd fancies; capricious.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fantastical" is derived from the Middle English word "fantastik", which was formed from the Old French word "fantastique". The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "phantasticus", which ultimately originated from the Greek word "phantastikos". The Greek term was derived from "phantazein", meaning "to make visible" or "to show". Over time, "fantastical" has evolved to imply something imaginative, fanciful, or unreal, often associated with the realm of fantasy or the imagination.