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I am a native speaker of Italian, and since the equivalent word in Italian is fantasia, I write fantasy.
A friend of mine told me that phantasy is also an English word. Considering that generally, when in Italian a word uses an f followed by an a, the equivalent English word uses pha, I am confused about the correct spelling.

What is the correct spelling between phantasy, and fantasy? Is it correct to say that phantasy is an English word currently used?

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2 Answers 2

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Definitely Fantasy.

Phantasy is an archaic spelling, currently used for stylistic purposes.

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  • It should be noted that in the context of psychology, "phantasy" is used as a technical term to refer to subconscious or unconscious imaginings, as distinct from just daydreaming. "Fantasy" is almost universally used everywhere else.
    – Tiercelet
    Jul 8, 2014 at 19:37
  • This is literally the only place I have ever seen “phantasy.”
    – KRyan
    Sep 2, 2015 at 18:28
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Oxford English Dictionary seems to think either can be used:

fantasy | phantasy, n.

Etymology: < Old French fantasie (French fantaisie), (= Provencal fantazia, Spanish, Portuguese fantasía, Italian fantasia), < Latin phantasia, < Greek ϕαντασία lit. ‘a making visible’, < ϕαντάζειν to make visible, < ϕαίνειν to show.

In use:

1858 R. A. Vaughan Ess. & Remains I. 6 Not a phantasy in religion..but might there soar or flutter.

1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda III. vi. xlviii. 379 Fantasies moved within her like ghosts.

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