daydream

1 of 2

noun

day·​dream ˈdā-ˌdrēm 

: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination

daydreamlike

ˈdā-ˌdrēm-ˌlīk 

adjective

daydream

2 of 2

verb

daydreamed; daydreaming; daydreams

intransitive verb

: to have a daydream

daydreamer noun

Synonyms of daydream

Noun

• dream
• illusion
• fantasy
• vision

Examples of daydream in a Sentence

Noun

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

It's inspired by Snoopy's daydream of being the coolest beagle on campus. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

The next day, Luwi had a similar daydream, but this time the disapproving patriarch was Gajdusek. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Vivacious and prone to daydreaming, Julián experiences a culture shock under Carmela’s roof — there’s impressive attention to detail in the production design inside her home, down to the magnets on her refrigerator. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

People were dressed with intention, but not to show off a new Birkin—chic couples daydreaming together, older locals with their Afghan hounds, and a lot of New Yorkers craving the sun. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1830, 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