daydream

1 of 3

noun (1)

day·​dream ˈdā-ˌdrēm 

: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination

daydreamlike

ˈdā-ˌdrēm-ˌlīk 

adjective

daydream

2 of 3

verb

daydreamed; daydreaming; daydreams

intransitive verb

: to have a daydream

daydreamer noun

daydreamer

3 of 3

noun (2)

day·​dream·​er ˈdā-ˌdrē-mər 

: one that daydreams

Synonyms of daydream

Noun (1)

• dream
• illusion
• fantasy
• vision

Examples of daydream in a Sentence

Noun (1)

I drifted off in a daydream during the class.

hoped that one day world peace would be a reality and not just a daydream

Verb

Instead of studying, he spent the afternoon daydreaming about his vacation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026

One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

Verb

Modern gadgets are damaging our ability to daydream, socialize and perceive the physical world. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Anyone who's ever daydreamed about an alternate version of their life. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1830, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1750, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for daydream

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• mainstream
• midstream

Kids Definition

daydream

1 of 2 noun

day·​dream ˈdā-ˌdrēm 

: a dreamy sequence of usually happy or pleasant imaginings

daydream

2 of 2 verb

: to have a daydream

daydreamer noun

Medical Definition

daydream

noun

day·​dream ˈdā-ˌdrēm 

: a visionary creation of the imagination experienced while awake

especially : a gratifying reverie usually of wish fulfillment

daydream intransitive verb

daydreamer noun