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

Noun

• dream
• fantasy
• illusion
• 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

The maid gazes out the window, her mouth slightly open, as if lost in boredom or a daydream. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 2 July 2025

For a home base that’s as inspiring as the journey itself, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay rises from the cliffs like something out of a coastal daydream. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Verb

You might be tempted to spend today daydreaming or reading romantic novels or poetry. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 June 2025

That’s the core of this experience, aimed squarely at anyone who’s daydreamed about summiting the highest mountain on earth. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1820, 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