The genre of fantasy can be a difficult genre to write without the correct terms and terminology to bring your musings to life. Fantasy words are a vital component of any fictional text that deals with fantasy elements, as how you tell your story and the language you use to do so plays a pivotal role in constructing your fictional world in the reader’s mind.
Today we’ve compiled this article to help you discover new fantasy words, as well as discuss synonyms for fantasy and related words. The purpose is to help you expand your vocabulary for your fantasy writing projects.
See also: Our list of 450+ Sci Fi Words
Without further ado, let’s begin with;
The definition of fantasy
As we’ve explored on both our fantasy flash fiction section and our fantasy short story section, at Lore Publication we define fantasy as:
- the involvement of imagination and the imaginary
- the involvement of extravagant or unrestrained creative imagination
- emphasis on ideas grounded in the unreal or impossible
- fiction that involves themes within any time period featuring myths, magical or extraordinarily powered creatures and people, or fantastical ideas or events that defy current scientific theory or understanding.
We used both the dictionary.com and the Cambridge Dictionary definitions to reach a consensus for what we mean by fantasy.
Before we move on to synonymising the word fantasy in context to the literary genre of ‘fantasy’ it’ll be useful to keep in mind that the cross-genres and sub-genres related to fantasy will each provide a unique set of fantasy words; all relating to the genre’s own unique tropes, differences, and characteristics.
We’ll pen another blog that will cover the different sub-genres and cross-genres, but for now, we’ll focus on just the words and wording aspect.
Synonyms for fantasy
There are various synonyms that you can use when replacing the word fantasy, and each synonym might carry a different connotative meaning.
Some popular synonyms to take note of are:
- Imagination; a literal synonym that is useful for describing the process of fantasy creation and the processes used in the creation of any kind of fantasy.
- Reverie; this synonym is related more to the act of using the imagination to create a fantasy in one’s own mind. Like day dreaming.
- Fantasia; a great synonym that relates to musical fantasy or the improvisation of musical melodies using the imagination. Usually, a fantasia is a mix of various musical influences to create something familiar but new.
- Illusion; this is more of an indirect synonym that relates to perception or sensory trickery. A ‘fantasy of the imagination’ could easily be described as an illusion, just as the trickery of perception. This synonym is useful if you want fantasy to carry a more surreal and perhaps negative connotation.
- Unrealism; this synonym is useful for those who want to describe a concept that is otherworldly, even within the confines of the fantasy world setting. Unrealism can reference that which is ‘unreal’ or ‘surreal’ in comparison to the defined rule set of a fantasy setting and story.
- Unreality; this is a great synonym for the same reason ‘unrealism’ is a good synonym. However, this can be used to describe aspects or concepts that don’t coincide with your world’s version of reality. An unreality is a fantastic way to describe a reality that is other within the confines of your world’s setting.
Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list but I think the above words offer a distinct and useful twist on the word fantasy. The differing connotations allow you to flesh out your fantasy world in greater detail, using more accurate language for what it is you want to describe.
Other notable synonyms to consider could be; make-believe, fabrication, dream, delusion, and mirage. These words are all related in some way to one of the words in the bullet point list above, with similar connotations or intents (which is why they aren’t expanded upon).
For instance, ‘delusion’ is a synonym of illusion that gives a more negative and less logical connotation but – in essence – provides a similar context and perspective for the reader.
Moving on from fantasy synonyms, we can explore words related to the genre of fantasy fiction and more specifically particular sub-genres of fantasy.
List of fantasy words
Before we get onto fantasy words, it is important to consider some suffixes that can help you create new words, such as:
- ‘-ology’
- ‘-mancer’
- ‘-ist’
- ‘-smith’
- ‘-urgy’
- ‘-scribe’
- ‘-weaver’
These can be used to create variations of words to help you build up fantasy-like vocabulary for your own fantasy world. For example, a Necromancer is a kind of wizard that uses death magic. The suffix ‘urgy’ could be used to make the word ‘Necrourgy’ – making new compound words related to your fantasy world is all part of the fun!
Below are some interesting words to consider for fantasy that is related to magic, be it low fantasy, high fantasy, contemporary fantasy or some other sub-genre:
‘A’ Words
- Alchemy
- Astral
- Arcane
- Assassin
- Archer
- Armiger
- Armorer
- Archbishop
- Amulet
- Arrow
- Axe
- Abyss
- Avian
- Aegis
- Altar
- Aureate
- Avatar
- Artificer
- Arboreal
- Alchemist
- Ancestral
- Apparition
- Arcanum
- Aeon
- Aegisguard
- Archmage
- Augury
- Augology
- Ardent
- Aurelia
- Aspectral
- Aspectual
- Acolyte
‘B’ Words
- Bloodmage
- Battlemage
- Bloodmoon
- Blackmage
- Bestowment
- Bestow
- Biomagic
- Bishop
- Barbarian
- Bewitch
- Blacksmith
- Bog
- Band
- Bard
- Book
- Bracer
- Boots
- Buckler
- Baneblade
- Balefire
- Bolt
- Bane
- Brewmaster
- Bifrost
- Brigand
- Bladebound
- Barrow
- Belltower
- Boltflare
- Banechant
- Blight
- Briarheart
- Baelstrum
- Brimstone
- Brazen
- Barren
- Barrenhold
- Blessing
- Bazaar
- Bladecraft
- Bladesmith
- Berserker
- Brightsteel
‘C’ Words
- Chronomancer
- Chronosmith
- Conduit
- Conjuration
- Conjure
- Corrupt
- Chalice
- Chieftan
- Chief
- Champion
- Chestplate
- Cauldron
- Charm
- Chariot
- Castle
- Cove
- Cave
- Crown
- Crest
- Captain
- Cloak
- Corona
- Cryomancer
- Cyromancy
- Cyrology
- Cyrologist
- Courier
- Crypt
- Coven
- Crag
- Cimmerian
- Caelum
- Catacomb
- Chaos
- Cairn
- Cinderborn
- Charmcaster
- Cryptic
- Caeli
- Crimson
- Crimsonmage
- Crownsguard
‘D’ Words
- Druid
- Deacon
- Darkling
- Duke
- Dame
- Domain
- Dungeon
- Dungeonmaster
- Dagger
- Demonslayer
- Demonic
- Disenchant
- Dispel
- Dawnbreaker
- Duskblade
- Dreamweaver
- Darkmoon
- Dirge
- Dervan
- Divine
- Divinity
- Destrier
- Dreamscape
- Dreadnought
- Diadem
- Daemonium
- Dragonheart
- Swimmer
‘E’ Words
- Eldritch
- Elixir
- Enchant
- Ether
- Etheric
- Emperor
- Empire
- Entity
- Enchantment
- Enchanting
- Earthmage
- Eon
- Elder
- Echomancer
- Echomancy
- Ember
- Embermage
- Embermancy
- Embermancer
- Enigmancer
- Enigmancy
- Eclipsar
- Enclave
- Empyrean
- Equinox
- Ethermancy
- Ethermancer
- Emberforge
- Embersmith
- Eldertree
- Everflame
- Euphoria
‘F’ Words
- Folklore
- Feast
- Forest
- Fable
- Fairytale
- Farsight
- Fateweaver
- Firemage
- Flamecaller
- Firemancer
- Frostmage
- Frostmancer
- Frostmancy
- Firemancy
- Frostcaller
- Feywild
- Fellblade
- Fellshadow
- Flameforged
- Forge
- Floralis
- Frostshaper
- Firebrand
- Fulgurite
- Forsaken
- Forsworn
‘G’ Words
- Gauntlets
- Goblet
- Gorge
- Greaves
- Guardian
- Guard
- Gravewalker
- Greybeard
- Glyph
- Glyphsmith
- Glypthforge
- Glade
- Guardianship
- Gallant
- Gatekeeper
- Gemstone
- Grimoire
- Goblinoid
- Glacial
- Ghostfire
- Glypthweaver
- Geomancy
- Geomancer
- Gloomcloak
‘H’ Words
- Hexal
- Hexalmancer
- Hexalsmith
- Hexology
- Honor
- Honorguard
- Holy
- Hunter
- Herald
- Hexcaster
- Helm
- Halcyon
- Harmony
- Harmancy
- Harmancer
- Harology
- Hinterlands
- Hellfire
- Hallow
- Hydromancer
- Hydromancy
- Hollow
- Hypnogem
- Hypnomancer
- Hypnomancy
- Hemlock
- Hallowsteel
- Hexfire
- Heavenstone
- Horn
- Hym
- Hymweaver
- Havenmist
- Hieromagus
- Helianth
- Hexblade
- Hydralith
- Horologist
- Horology
- Huntress
- Heartwood
- Haruspex
- Helixstaff
‘I’ Words
- Imbue
- Imperium
- Icemage
- Ivory
- Inquisitor
- Illusion
- Invocation
- Invoker
- Infernal
- Infernum
- Infernal
- Ironclad
- Ichor
- Incorporeal
- Illume
- Incarnate
- Inlay
- Illusory
- Ireful
- Ivy
- Ironwood
- Inferno
‘J’ Words
- Jewels
- Journeyman
- Jester
- Joker
- Jestercraft
- Javelin
- Jewelcraft
- Judgeblade
- Journeycraft
‘K’ Words
- Kingdom
- King
- Knight
- Knightess
- Knighthood
- Kinslayer
- Kin
- Kindred
- Knavish
- Kismet
- Keybearer
- Keystone
- Kilnfire
- Kylix
- Kalonia
- Kalonian
- Karnelian
- Kithara
- Keyblade
‘L’ Words
- Lair
- Lantern
- Legend
- Lancer
- Lord
- Lore
- Lancer
- Lumen
- Labryinth
- Lunamancy
- Lunamancer
- Lunasmith
- Lunalogy
- Luminara
- Lurk
- Lithomancy
- Lithomancer
- Lithosmith
- Leyline
- Levitate
- Luminary
- Lyre
- Lorestone
- Lunarium
- Lambent
- Lithoscribe
‘M’ Words
- Mage
- Magician
- Magicsmith
- Majesty
- Majestic
- Maleficent
- Medieval
- Ministry
- Malignant
- Morph
- Monarch
- Mystic
- Mythic
- Meditate
- Marauder
- Malachite
- Monolith
- Meadow
- Moonrise
- Mummy
- Mummified
- Mirage
- Medallion
- Moonshadow
- Moonlit
- Mysticism
- Maelstrom
- Mandala
- Molten
- Mythos
- Monument
‘N’ Words
- Necrosmith
- Necromancer
- Necromancy
- Necralsmith
- Necralmancy
- Necralmancer
- Necrology
- Necralology
- Nightblade
- Noble
- Necropolis
- Nomad
- Nightshade
- Netherworld
- Nethermage
- Nethermancer
- Nethermancy
- Nautical
- Nocture
- Nightmage
- Nightwalker
- Novice
- Nyctophilia
- Nex
- Nexomancy
- Nexomancer
- Nexology
- Nexer
‘O’ Words
- Oracle
- Occult
- Ordinator
- Ordain
- Oracular
- Overlord
- Obsidian
- Omen
- Oath
- Otherworld
- Overture
- Omnipresent
- Oasis
- Onyx
- Outlandish
- Orb
- Outpost
- Overcast
- Opalize
- Ornate
- Obelisk
- Orison
‘P’ Words
- Pantheon
- Paladin
- Paragon
- Pauldron
- Phantasmal
- Potion
- Portal
- Plain
- Prophecy
- Provence
- Perilous
- Pinnacle
- Prism
- Pyre
- Pariah
- Parchment
- Panacea
- Pangea
- Penumbral
- Penumbramancy
- Penumbramancer
‘Q’ Words
- Queen
- Quest
- Quiver
- Quagmire
- Quicksilver
- Quicksand
- Quell
- Quaint
- Questor
- Quill
- Quivera
- Quellion
‘R’ Words
- Ring
- Realm
- Rogue
- Runes
- Runesmith
- Runeblade
- Runescribe
- Relic
- Ritual
- Ruin
- Reaven
- Revenant
- Runic
- Rift
- Riftwalker
- Regal
- Runebearer
- Ranger
- Rustic
- Reliquary
- Revenant
- Rapture
- Realmwalker
- Rhapsody
- Raindancer
- Resonant
‘S’ Words
- Saint
- Scout
- Seer
- Seersword
- Shard
- Shadow
- Shadowsmith
- Shaman
- Shield
- Shire
- Skull
- Sin
- Scribe
- Scroll
- Scrollsmith
- Shard smith
- Sorceress
- Sorcery
- Spell
- Spellsword
- Spellbook
- Staff
- Squire
- Skirmisher
- Sword
- Swordmaiden
- Swordsman
- Sultan
- Shah
- Smite
‘T’ Words
- Tale
- Throne
- Totem
- Totemsmith
- Tome
- Tomesmith
- Thaumaturgy
- Tsar
- Twilight
- Talisman
- Tyrant
- Tenebria
- Talon
- Thaumaturge
- Thundermage
- Thundermancy
- Thundermancer
- Trinket
- Transpet
- Theocratic
- Talismanic
- Tornblade
- Tranquil
- Thaumic
- Thaumicacy
- Thaumicology
- Tenebrae
- Theurgy
- Tincture
- Tincturesmith
‘U’ Words
- Unholy
- Uprising
- Unleash
- Undying
- Umbral
- Umbralmacy
- Umbralmancer
- Umbralolgy
- Ultraessence
- Utterance
- Unabridged
- Unyielding
- Unruly
- Unorthodox
‘V’ Words
- Valor
- Valorguard
- Valley
- Vanguard
- Vortex
- Veil
- Veilwalker
- Vagrant
- Vitality
- Voyage
- Valiant
- Vagabond
- Vanquish
- Vellichor
- Vivarium
- Verdigris
- Vision
- Visonary
- Vial
- Vestige
- Vesper
- Vermiform
- Voyant
- Vellum
- Velocimancer
- Velocimancy
- Vestment
- Veridical
- Vehemence
- Vex
- Vexsmith
‘W’ Words
- Wand
- Weird
- Wicked
- Wild
- Wings
- Wisdom
- Witchcraft
- Wizard
- Wizardry
- Warden
- Watchman
- Wanderer
- Wildheart
- Weald
- Whirlwind
- Witchery
- Wayfarer
- Wyrd
- Warmage
- Webweaver
- Witching
- Wanderlust
- Warcry
- Weave
- Windcaller
- Warbeast
- Weight
- Waystone
‘X’ Words
- Xyloid
- Xerophyte
- Xeromancy
- Xeormancer
- Xanthism
- Xanthist
- Xanthilogy
- Xanthimancer
- Xyris
- Xylera
- Xylanth
‘Y’ Words
- Yggdrasil
- Yore
- Yarn
- Yarnwraith
- Yggorm
- Yewstaff
- Yorekeeper
- Yorescroll
- Yoreologist
- Yulefire
- Yester
- Yelldrin
- Yarnfrost
- Yarnfire
- Yestertide
- Yonderrealm
- Yestermist
‘Z’ Words
- Zealot
- Zodiac
- Zenith
- Ziggurat
- Zepher
- Zephyrian
- Zircon
- Zephyranth
- Zeal
We’ve tried to compile a comprehensive list, we hope this helps! Got a word you want added? Be sure to reach out to us and we’ll take a look at your words.
Don’t forget to download this blog via our free PDF to keep the list to hand offline. It is downloadable via a google drive link.
Before you go, why not check out;
Lore’s fantasy story selection
On Lore we don’t just provide great resources for writers, we also provide free stories to readers (as well as a place for writers to share their work). We want writers to find their new audience and readers to have access to free, high-quality stories at no cost.
It is one of the founding principles of Lore, and we’ll always have a catalogue of free fiction for people to enjoy.
Check out our fantasy short stories and fantasy flash fiction, have a read, get inspired, and get writing. Or, if you are a reader, enjoy the stories and check back soon for more. We also have great blog posts to help you get writing such as our article on how to write a fight scene, our guide on how to write a book with no experience, and 25 creative writing prompts for adults.
Have a submission? Check out our submission guidelines!
FAQS About Fantasy Words
What is a better word for fantasy?
This will depend upon the connotation you’re looking to convey, however, delusion, fancy, illusion, imagined, and even nightmare are all close synonyms to consider.
What are some cool fantasy words?
From our extensive list, we personally like: conjure, hex, tome, enchant, geomancy, ichor, relic, and paladin. There are many, many more worth consideration.
What is the latin word for fantasy?
somnium (n), or phantasia (f)
Do you have any fantasy resources?
Yes. We have this blog available as a downloadable PDF file for you to keep. You can access the file via this google drive link.