# whim

> English word · Noun · IPA /wɪm/ · frequency rank #20,266

## Definitions
1. A fanciful impulse, or sudden change of idea.
2. A large capstan or vertical drum turned by horse power or steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from mines, or for other purposes

## Etymology
Clipping of whim-wham.

## Easily confused with
- **wi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wi)
- **who** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-who)
- **why** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-why)
- **win** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-win)
- **wit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wit)
- **Wii** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wii)
- **wig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wig)
- **wis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wis)
- **wiz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wiz)
- **Wie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wie)
- **wid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wid)
- **WIC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wic)
- **wim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-wim)
- **whom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-whom)
- **whip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-whip)
- **whoa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-whoa)
- **worm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-worm)
- **writ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-writ)
- **whit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-whit)
- **whos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whim-vs-whos)

## Common misspellings (6)
`hwim`, `whhim`, `whimm`, `whmi`, `wihm`, `wwhim`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/whim