Fabulous vs. Fantastic: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Fabulous means extraordinary, incredibly good or amazing, often with a sense of glamour, while fantastic refers to something extremely good or enjoyable, often with a sense of imagination or fantasy.
Key Differences
Fabulous is often used to describe something that is exceptionally good or impressive in a glamorous or stylish way. Fantastic, on the other hand, implies a sense of awe and often includes elements of fantasy or imagination.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
In usage, fabulous can imply a certain level of extravagance or over-the-top quality, while fantastic is more generally used to denote something that is very pleasing or enjoyable.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Fabulous is sometimes associated with fashion and style, conveying a sense of elegance and sophistication. Fantastic is more versatile, used in various contexts ranging from expressing delight to describing imaginative concepts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
The tone of fabulous can be more flamboyant or exaggerated, whereas fantastic is often used in a more straightforward, enthusiastic manner.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Fabulous can also imply a sense of disbelief or incredibility, often in a positive manner, whereas fantastic can be used to express a high degree of excellence or quality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage Context
Fashion, style, extraordinary quality
Pleasure, awe, imaginative scenarios
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Nov 13, 2023
Implication
Elegance, sophistication, sometimes disbelief
High degree of enjoyment, creativity
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Nov 13, 2023
Versatility
More specific to elegance and extravagance
Broader in usage, applicable in many contexts
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Nov 13, 2023
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Fabulous and Fantastic Definitions
Fabulous
Extraordinarily good or impressive.
The gala event was a fabulous success.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Exceedingly large or extreme; used to emphasize the extent of something.
The party was a fantastic success.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fabulous
Almost unbelievable, yet wonderful.
The view from the mountaintop was simply fabulous.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Extremely good or enjoyable.
The vacation to Hawaii was absolutely fantastic.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fabulous
Incredibly glamorous or stylish.
Her new dress looked absolutely fabulous.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Fantastic
Based on or existing only in fantasy; unreal
Fantastic mythological creatures.
The fantastic realms of science fiction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fabulous
Exceptionally good or pleasing.
He gave a fabulous performance at the concert.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Strange or fanciful in form, conception, or appearance
“The fire assumed fantastic shapes as he watched” (Ward Just).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Unrealistic; irrational
“the early jubilant years of the Restoration with their fantastic hopes of a Golden Age and incorruptible power” (Janet Todd).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fabulous
Astonishing or extraordinary
The fabulous endurance of a marathon runner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Exceedingly great in size or degree; extravagant
A fantastic sum of money.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Existing in or constructed from fantasy; of or relating to fantasy; fanciful.
He told fantastic stories of dragons and goblins.
His fantastic post-college plans had all collapsed within a year of graduation.
She had a fantastic view of her own importance that none of her colleagues shared.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Not believable; implausible; seemingly only possible in fantasy.
The events were so fantastic that only the tabloids were willing to print them.
She entered the lab and stood gaping for a good ten minutes at the fantastic machinery at work all around her.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Resembling fantasies in irregularity, caprice, or eccentricity; irregular; grotesque.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Wonderful; marvelous; excellent; extraordinarily good or great (used especially as an intensifier).
"I had a simply fantastic vacation, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!"
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Existing only in imagination; fanciful; imaginary; not real; chimerical.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Indulging the vagaries of imagination; whimsical; full of absurd fancies; capricious; as, fantastic minds; a fantastic mistress.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fabulous
Feigned, as a story or fable; related in fable; devised; invented; not real; fictitious; as, a fabulous description; a fabulous hero.
The fabulous birth of Minerva.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Resembling fantasies in irregularity, caprice, or eccentricity; irregular; oddly shaped; grotesque.
There at the foot of yonder nodding beech,That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
A person given to fantastic dress, manners, etc.; an eccentric person; a fop.
Our fantastics, who, having a fine watch, take all ocasions to draw it out to be seen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Ludicrously odd;
Hamlet's assumed antic disposition
Fantastic Halloween costumes
A grotesque reflection in the mirror
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Oct 19, 2023
Fabulous
Based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity;
Mythical centaurs
The fabulous unicorn
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Extraordinarily good; used especially as intensifiers;
A fantastic trip to the Orient
The film was fantastic!
A howling success
A marvelous collection of rare books
Had a rattling conversation about politics
A tremendous achievement
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Extravagantly fanciful and unrealistic; foolish;
A fantastic idea of his own importance
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Oct 19, 2023
Fabulous
Relating to fables or myths.
The book contained fabulous tales of heroes and gods.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Existing in fancy only;
Fantastic figures with bulbous heads the circumference of a bushel
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Exceedingly or unbelievably great;
The bomb did fantastic damage
Samson is supposed to have had fantastic strength
Phenomenal feats of memory
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Oct 19, 2023
Fantastic
Imaginative or fanciful; unreal.
She had a fantastic dream about flying.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Based on fantasy; not realistic.
The movie presented a fantastic version of the future.
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Nov 10, 2023
Fantastic
Wonderful or marvelous.
The fireworks display was truly fantastic.
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Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is fabulous a positive term?
Yes, it's used to express positivity and admiration.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Does fabulous imply glamour?
Often, it conveys a sense of glamour or elegance.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
How is fantastic used?
To describe something extremely enjoyable or imaginative.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can fabulous be used for everyday events?
Yes, but it often conveys a sense of extravagance.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Is fantastic a versatile word?
Yes, it's applicable in many contexts from enjoyment to fantasy.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Does fantastic always mean something good?
Mostly, though it can be used ironically in some contexts.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can fabulous be used in formal writing?
It can be, but its flamboyant tone may not always fit formal contexts.
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Nov 13, 2023
What kind of tone does fabulous convey?
A tone that's often flamboyant or exaggerated.
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Nov 13, 2023
Does fantastic have a straightforward tone?
Usually, it's used in a straightforward, enthusiastic manner.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can fabulous indicate disbelief?
Sometimes, especially when something is almost too good to be true.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is fabulous often used in fashion?
Yes, it's commonly used in the context of fashion and style.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can fantastic refer to unrealistic things?
Yes, it's often used for imaginative or unreal scenarios.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is fantastic suitable for professional contexts?
Generally, though the context should guide its use.
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Nov 13, 2023
Can fantastic be used to describe size or extent?
Yes, it can emphasize the large or extreme nature of something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can fabulous be used sarcastically?
Like many adjectives, it can be used sarcastically in certain contexts.
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Nov 13, 2023
Is fantastic used in literature?
Yes, particularly in genres involving imagination and fantasy.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Is fantastic a common word in everyday language?
Yes, it's widely used in various everyday contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Can fabulous describe a person's appearance?
Yes, especially referring to glamorous or stylish looks.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Does fantastic imply a sense of awe?
Often, it's used to express awe or wonder.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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