dream

1 of 2

noun

ˈdrēm How to pronounce dream (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of dreamnext
1
: a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep
had a dream about climbing a mountain
gives me bad dreams
compare rem sleep
2
: an experience of waking life having the characteristics of a dream: such as
a
: a visionary (see visionary entry 1 sense 2a) creation of the imagination : daydream
the dreams of her youth
b
: a state of mind marked by abstraction or release from reality : reverie
walking around in a dream
c
: an object seen in a dreamlike state : vision
a man that was her dream come true
3
: something notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality
the new car is a dream to operate
4
a
: a strongly desired goal or purpose
a dream of becoming president
b
: something that fully satisfies a wish : ideal
a meal that was a gourmet's dream
dreamful
ˈdrēm-fəl How to pronounce dream (audio)
adjective
dreamfully
ˈdrēm-fə-lē How to pronounce dream (audio)
adverb
dreamfulness noun
dreamless adjective
dreamlessly adverb
dreamlessness noun
dreamlike
ˈdrēm-ˌlīk How to pronounce dream (audio)
adjective

dream

2 of 2

verb

dreamed ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ˈdrēmd How to pronounce dream (audio) or dreamt ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ; dreaming ˈdrē-miŋ How to pronounce dream (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to have a series of thoughts, images, or emotions while sleeping : to have a dream (see dream entry 1 sense 1)
doesn't recall dreaming last night
dream of departed loved ones
2
: to indulge in daydreams or fantasies
dreaming of a better future
3
: to appear tranquil or dreamy (see dreamy sense 3a)
houses dream in leafy shadows—Gladys Taber

transitive verb

1
: to have a dream of
dreamt that he was running in the woods
2
: to consider as a possibility : imagine
never dreamed I would become a teacher
3
: to pass (time) in reverie or inaction
dreaming the hours away
Phrases
dream of
: to consider possible or fitting
wouldn't dream of disturbing you

Did you know?

Not until the 13th century was our word dream used in the sense of “a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep.” The word itself is considerably older. In Old English dream means “joy,” “noise,” or “music.” Yet the change in meaning did not come from the development of a more specialized sense. Rather it appears that after many Scandinavian conflicts, conquests, and settlements in Britain the Old Norse draumr, meaning “a dream during sleep,” influenced the meaning of the etymologically related, English word. By the end of the 14th century the earlier meanings had been entirely replaced.

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of dream in a Sentence

Noun He had a dream about climbing a mountain. You were in my dream last night. I've found the man of my dreams. They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would be so much fun. If you think the work will be easy, you're living in a dream world. He has had a lifelong dream of becoming an actor. It's a dream of mine to own a house in the country. Tell me your hopes and dreams. Making it to the Olympics was a dream come true. Verb Did it really happen or did I just dream it? He tends to dream big but he never really does the things he dreams of doing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file The result is an arena with ambitions as lofty as the franchise’s dreams of winning a first NBA championship. —Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 Trending Video Margot Robbie Takes You Inside The Barbie Dreamhouse Welcome to Barbie's dream house. —Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
At one time, the couple dreamed of using the land to build multiple small houses that might offer families more affordable places to live. —Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024 The agency will also likely rely on the vehicle to make its Mars dreams a reality in the decade after that. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dream 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dreem, from Old English drēam noise, joy, and Old Norse draumr dream; akin to Old High German troum dream

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dream was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing dream

Dictionary Entries Near dream

dreadnought

dream

dream away

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dream. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

dream

1 of 2 noun
ˈdrēm How to pronounce dream (audio)
1
: a series of thoughts, pictures, or feelings occurring during sleep
2
: a vision created in the imagination : daydream
3
: something notable for its beauty or pleasing quality
4
: a goal that is longed for : ideal
dreamlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce dream (audio)
adjective

dream

2 of 2 verb
ˈdrēm
dreamed ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ˈdrēmd How to pronounce dream (audio) or dreamt ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ; dreaming ˈdrē-miŋ How to pronounce dream (audio)
1
: to have a dream
dreamed about my dog
2
: to spend time having daydreams
3
: to think of as happening or possible : imagine
never dreamed I'd win
dreamer noun

Medical Definition

dream

1 of 2 noun
ˈdrēm How to pronounce dream (audio)
often attributive
: a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep and especially during REM sleep compare daydream

dream

2 of 2 verb
ˈdrēm How to pronounce dream (audio)
dreamed ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ˈdrēmd How to pronounce dream (audio) or dreamt ˈdrem(p)t How to pronounce dream (audio) ; dreaming ˈdrē-miŋ How to pronounce dream (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to have a dream
2
: to indulge in daydreams or fantasies

transitive verb

: to have a dream of
dreamer
ˈdrē-mər How to pronounce dream (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dream

Nglish: Translation of dream for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of dream for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dream

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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