pipe dream

noun

: an illusory or fantastic plan, hope, or story

Synonyms of pipe dream

• dream
• illusion
• daydream
• fantasy
• vision
• castle in the air
• castle in Spain

Examples of pipe dream in a Sentence

His plan for starting his own business was just a pipe dream.

opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream

Recent Examples on the Web

How could this kid from the cornfields of Illinois say no to that kind of pipe dream? — Robert Greenblatt, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

As the league and union continue amassing their respective war chests for the next CBA four-to-five years down the road, the last thing the league needs to do publicly is depict pipe dreams as front-burner issues. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Even a few short years ago, the possibility of another Alabama Shakes album sounded like a pipe dream. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026

When a double sink is nothing short of a pipe dream, the best small bathroom vanities are the only solution to simulating en suite vibes in your powder room. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the fantasies brought about by the smoking of opium

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pipe dream

• academe
• cherubim
• elohim
• episteme
• seraphim
• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme

Kids Definition

pipe dream

noun

: an unreal and fantastic idea, wish, or story