Fancy vs. Passion — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 1, 2023
Fancy refers to a liking or imaginative conception, often not based on reason, while passion is an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.
Difference Between Fancy and Passion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fancy and passion, both refer to human feelings and preferences, but they differ significantly in depth and intensity. Fancy generally refers to a liking, preference, or superficial desire, often characterized by whimsical or imaginative thought. It could be fleeting and not deeply rooted, illustrating a transient inclination or preference for something appealing or attractive. Fancy can be reflective of a momentary whim or a transient attraction, often not backed by serious consideration or deep conviction.
Passion, conversely, denotes a much deeper, more intense emotion or desire. It implies a strong, overwhelming feeling or a compelling enthusiasm or desire for something. Passion is characterized by its depth and fervor, representing a profound, consuming emotion that can drive actions, decisions, and pursuits. It is often associated with a strong commitment and a relentless pursuit of goals, reflecting a profound connection and intense emotion towards the object of passion.
While fancy is often more about imagination and transient desires, passion is about intensity and enduring cravings. Fancy can be whimsical and not necessarily based on reason or logic, possibly representing a fleeting attraction or a sudden whim. It is lighter, more capricious, and can change rapidly, indicating a lack of serious attachment or commitment.
On the contrary, passion is steadfast and deeply rooted, reflecting a powerful attachment or a strong, enduring desire. It is an intense emotion that can influence thoughts, actions, and decisions, driving individuals to pursue their passions with zeal and determination. Passion often involves a deep connection and a strong, unwavering commitment to the pursued object, goal, or activity, reflecting a level of intensity and dedication not seen in mere fancy.
In essence, the distinction between fancy and passion lies in their depth, intensity, and permanence. Fancy is more about fleeting, superficial desires and imaginative conceptions, while passion represents deep, intense emotions and enduring, compelling desires, often driving actions and pursuits with fervor and commitment.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A liking or imaginative conception
An intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
Intensity
Often superficial and fleeting
Deep, intense, and consuming
Basis
Can be whimsical and not based on reason
Often deeply rooted and enduring
Reflects
Transient inclination or attraction
Profound connection and strong commitment
Influence
Can change rapidly without serious attachment
Drives actions, decisions, and pursuits with zeal
Compare with Definitions
Fancy
Fancy represents a transient inclination or attraction.
His fancy for fast cars cost him a fortune.
Passion
Passion is an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.
He pursued his passion for music against all odds.
Fancy
Fancy is often fleeting and can change rapidly.
His fancy for exotic foods took him to various culinary adventures.
Passion
Passion represents a profound connection and strong commitment.
Her passion for environmental conservation led her to establish a non-profit organization.
Fancy
Highly decorated
A fancy hat.
Passion
Passion is often deeply rooted and enduring.
His passion for justice motivated him to become a lawyer.
Fancy
Complex or intricate
The fancy footwork of a figure skater.
Passion
Passion reflects a level of intensity and dedication not seen in mere fancy.
With passion and determination, he trained relentlessly to become a champion.
Fancy
Elegantly fashionable or sophisticated
A fancy restaurant.
A fancy way of asking for a loan.
Passion
Strong and barely controllable emotion
A man of impetuous passion
Fancy
Of superior grade; fine
Fancy preserves.
Passion
The suffering and death of Jesus
Meditations on the Passion of Christ
Fancy
Excessive or exorbitant
Paid a fancy price for the car.
Passion
Strong or powerful emotion
A crime of passion.
Fancy
Bred for unusual qualities or special points.
Passion
A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.
Fancy
The mental faculty through which whims, visions, and fantasies are summoned up; imagination, especially of a whimsical or fantastic nature.
Passion
A state of strong sexual desire or love
"His desire flared into a passion he could no longer check" (Barbara Taylor Bradford).
Fancy
Something imagined or invented by the mind
"As the fancies that kept crowding in upon him only made him more excited, he got out of bed and tried to think." (Sherwood Anderson).
Passion
The object of such desire or love
She became his passion.
Fancy
A capricious liking or inclination
I have a fancy for a glass of wine.
Passion
Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
Fancy
A romantic liking or interest
She's taken a fancy to you.
Passion
The object of such enthusiasm
Soccer is her passion.
Fancy
The enthusiasts or fans of a sport or pursuit considered as a group.
Passion
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Fancy
The sport or pursuit, such as boxing, engaging the interest of such a group.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
Fancy
To have a liking or enthusiasm for
Fancies sports cars.
Passion
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Fancy
To have a desire or inclination for
Would you fancy a cup of coffee?.
Passion
Martyrdom
The passion of Saint Margaret.
Fancy
To take a romantic interest in (someone)
Do you think he fancies her?.
Passion
A true desire sustained or prolonged.
Fancy
To imagine or suppose
"I fancy she is an exceedingly proud woman" (Jane Austen).
Passion
Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.
Fancy
The imagination.
Passion
Fervor, determination.
Fancy
An image or representation of anything formed in the mind.
Passion
An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.
It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.
Fancy
An opinion or notion formed without much reflection.
Passion
Sexual intercourse, especially when very emotional.
We shared a night of passion.
Fancy
A whim.
I had a fancy to learn to play the flute.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.
Fancy
Love or amorous attachment.
He took a fancy to her.
Passion
A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
Fancy
The object of inclination or liking.
Passion
(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
A cardiac passion
Fancy
Any sport or hobby pursued by a group.
Trainspotting is the fancy of a special lot.
The cat fancy
Passion
(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition
Fancy
The enthusiasts of such a pursuit.
He fell out of favor with the boxing fancy after the incident.
Passion
(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Fancy
A diamond with a distinctive colour.
Passion
(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.
[...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.
Fancy
That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.
Passion
(obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.
Fancy
A bite-sized sponge cake, with a layer of cream, covered in icing.
A French fancy; a fondant fancy; cream fancies
Passion
(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Fancy
(obsolete) A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.
Passion
(transitive) To give a passionate character to.
Fancy
In the game of jacks, a style of play involving additional actions (contrasted with plainsies).
Passion
A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs.
Fancy
Decorative, or featuring decorations, especially intricate or diverse ones.
This is a fancy shawl.
Passion
The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; - opposed to action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
Fancy
Of a superior grade.
This box contains bottles of the fancy grade of jelly.
Passion
Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other passions of matter.
Fancy
Executed with skill.
He initiated the game-winning play with a fancy deked saucer pass to the winger.
Passion
The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill.
We also are men of like passions with you.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently understood, without considering the affections and passions, or those modifications or actions of the mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain objects or events in which the mind generally conceives good or evil.
The term passion, and its adverb passionately, often express a very strong predilection for any pursuit, or object of taste - a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.
The bravery of his grief did put meInto a towering passion.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Who walked in every path of human life,Felt every passion.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country.
Fancy
(colloquial) Unnecessarily complicated.
I'm not keen on him and his fancy ideas.
Passion
Disorder of the mind; madness.
Fancy
(obsolete) Extravagant; above real value.
Passion
Passion week. See Passion week, below.
Fancy
(nonstandard) In a fancy manner; fancily.
Passion
To give a passionate character to.
Fancy
(formal) To appreciate without jealousy or greed.
I fancy your new car, but I like my old one just fine.
Passion
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Fancy
(British) would like
I fancy a burger tonight for dinner.
Do you fancy going to town this weekend?
Passion
Strong feeling or emotion
Fancy
To be sexually attracted to.
I fancy that girl over there.
Passion
Intense passion or emotion
Fancy
To imagine, suppose.
[dated] I fancy you'll want something to drink after your long journey.
I fancy this is an error.
Fancy meeting you here!
Fancy that! I saw Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy kissing in the garden.
You won't get the gig just because you fancy yourself a musician.
Passion
Something that is desired intensely;
His rage for fame destroyed him
Fancy
To form a conception of; to portray in the mind.
Passion
An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
Fancy
To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
Passion
A feeling of strong sexual desire
Fancy
(transitive) To breed (animals) as a hobby.
Passion
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Fancy
The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a representation of anything perceived before; the power of combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or images; the power of readily and happily creating and recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit, or embellishment; imagination.
In the soulAre many lesser faculties, that serveReason as chief. Among these fancy nextHer office holds.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion
Fancy
An image or representation of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit.
How now, my lord ! why do you keep alone,Of sorriest fancies your companoins making ?
Passion
Passion drives actions, decisions, and pursuits with zeal.
Fueled by a passion for discovery, she explored uncharted territories.
Fancy
An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim; impression.
I have always had a fancy that learning might be made a play and recreation to children.
Fancy
Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason; as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of inclination or liking.
To fit your fancies to your father's will.
Fancy
That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.
London pride is a pretty fancy for borders.
Fancy
A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.
At a great book sale in London, which had congregated all the fancy.
Fancy
To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something without proof.
If our search has reached no farther than simile and metaphor, we rather fancy than know.
Fancy
To love.
Fancy
To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine.
He whom I fancy, but can ne'er express.
Fancy
To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.
Fancy
To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine (something which is unreal).
He fancied he was welcome, because those arounde him were his kinsmen.
Fancy
Adapted to please the fancy or taste, especially when of high quality or unusually appealing; ornamental; as, fancy goods; fancy clothes.
Fancy
Extravagant; above real value.
This anxiety never degenerated into a monomania, like that which led his [Frederick the Great's] father to pay fancy prices for giants.
Fancy
Something many people believe that is false;
They have the illusion that I am very wealthy
Fancy
Fancy was held by Coleridge to be more casual and superficial than imagination
Fancy
A predisposition to like something;
He had a fondness for whiskey
Fancy
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Fancy
Have a fancy or particular liking or desire for;
She fancied a necklace that she had seen in the jeweler's window
Fancy
Not plain; decorative or ornamented;
Fancy handwriting
Fancy clothes
Fancy
Fancy is a liking or imaginative conception.
She has a fancy for vintage clothing.
Fancy
Fancy can be whimsical and not necessarily based on reason.
The child has a fancy that her toys come to life at night.
Fancy
Fancy indicates a lack of serious attachment or commitment.
Her fancy for the latest trends kept her wardrobe ever-changing.
Common Curiosities
Is fancy about transient desires?
Yes, fancy often represents transient desires and attractions that are fleeting and not deeply rooted.
What is passion characterized by?
Passion is characterized by its depth and fervor, representing a profound, consuming emotion or a compelling enthusiasm or desire for something.
What does fancy typically refer to?
Fancy typically refers to a liking, preference, or superficial desire often characterized by whimsical or imaginative thought.
Is passion deep and enduring?
Absolutely, passion is often deeply rooted and enduring, reflecting a powerful attachment or a strong, unwavering desire.
Can fancy be whimsical and change rapidly?
Yes, fancy can be whimsical, not necessarily based on reason, and can change rapidly indicating a lack of serious attachment.
Does passion drive actions and decisions?
Yes, passion can significantly influence and drive actions, decisions, and pursuits with intense zeal and determination.
Can fancy be based on imagination rather than reason?
Absolutely, fancy is often more about imagination and can be based on whimsical thoughts rather than reason or logic.
Does passion imply a deeper connection and conviction?
Absolutely, passion implies a deeper, profound connection and a strong, enduring conviction or desire.
Can fancy reflect a momentary whim?
Indeed, fancy can reflect a momentary whim or a sudden, fleeting attraction, often not backed by serious consideration or deep conviction.
Does fancy imply a serious attachment?
No, fancy often implies a lack of serious attachment or commitment, representing a lighter, more capricious inclination.
Can fancy be about superficial desires?
Yes, fancy generally pertains to superficial, fleeting desires and preferences that are not deeply rooted.
Is passion associated with a strong commitment to goals?
Yes, passion is often associated with a strong commitment and a relentless pursuit of goals, reflecting a profound connection and intense emotion.
Can passion be seen as a driving force in one’s pursuits?
Definitely, passion is a driving force that can lead individuals to pursue their interests, goals, or objects of desire with fervor and commitment.
Is fancy reflective of transient inclinations?
Yes, fancy is reflective of transient inclinations or preferences, often characterized by their fleeting and whimsical nature.
Can passion be consuming and overwhelming?
Yes, passion can be consuming and overwhelming, reflecting an intense emotion or desire that can dominate thoughts and actions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.