dream

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
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 adjective
dreamfully adverb
dreamfulness noun
dreamless adjective
dreamlessly adverb
dreamlessness noun
dreamlike 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 shadowsGladys 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.

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
Noun
The film — about a syndicate of confidence men planning cons in the Great Depression — was a dream shoot on the Universal backlot set, save for one persistent annoyance: Redford was always late. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Recent hawkish commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell coupled with a string of higher-than-expected inflation reports have tempered Wall Street’s dreams of lower interest rates. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 So to get to work with her is beyond a dream come true. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 In a world ruled by this philosophy, there is no trauma or dream or shame or pain or work of art exempt from the obligation to explain itself, and then put itself to work in service of the improvement of the self and others. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Quince Mongolian Cashmere pullover hoodie $100 at Quince $100 at Quince Houdini Sportswear Introducing the tech fleece set of your dreams. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024 The songs bled into each other, conjuring a kind of dream state; people drifted through the lakewater on paddle boats and golden sun rays shone through the leaves of the tree canopy above the crowd. Isabelia Herrera, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024 Chase the Idol dream, or go home and help out with her younger siblings when dad is away? Lars Brandle, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 The fact that the longtime Valley residents knew nothing about farming or winemaking wasn't a deterrent to their dream. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024
Verb
Mark was the son of a railroad cop and Goodwill shop clerk, and always dreamed of being an optometrist. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024 For anyone who's been dreaming of a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-esque Greece getaway, Tarpon Springs is your stateside alternative that won't break the bank. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024 But some entrepreneurs are using social media to sell a more literal fairytale, promising a night of wish fulfillment for anyone who ever dreamed of living in another world. Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Hinds had worked at the Waldorf in New York City and always dreamed of being a guest there. Blake Bakkila, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 The poem features a swan’s nest hidden among reeds that a young woman dreams of showing to an idealized lover. Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024 The goal is simple: Dream big, and then dream even bigger. Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Biden, the actual President, and Trump, the forever-President of Red America’s fever dreams. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2024 Jackie dreams of being a championship bodybuilder, while Lou is looking for a way out of town to get away from her controlling father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), a local crime boss. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near dream

Cite this Entry

“Dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dream. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dream

1 of 2 noun
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 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
often attributive
: a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep and especially during REM sleep compare daydream

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 dream
2
: to indulge in daydreams or fantasies

transitive verb

: to have a dream of
dreamer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dream

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