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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Category 4 storm ravaged the Appel's dream home, along with much of the region, leaving those hit hardest by the storm to contend with an insurance market already struggling to cover its claims. Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon Adventure Awaits with a Backyard Climbing Dome The climbing dome is a dream playground for kids and a relief for parents. Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023 In a new interview with Architectural Digest, the actor, 37, discussed designing his dream sofa, starting with sketches and then making models of the piece out of clay. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 Her roster of celebrities is already quite full—but does the shoe designer have a dream client? Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023 Pink missiles with daisies As the humanitarian crisis deepens, once mundane activities such as taking a shower, eating a sweet, or drinking a glass of clean water have become dreams to many people here. Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023 This Gulf Blue, ducktail dream is offered without reserve, but is expected to fetch up to $400,000. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2023 Cathedral Catholic High School’s girls volleyball team enjoyed a dream season in 2022. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2023 Other celebs Cohen has named as dream stars for the Housewives role include Vanessa Bryant, Chrissy Teigen, Julia Fox, Jana Kramer and Ayda Field Williams, who Page Six previously reported as Cohen’s wishlist. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023
Verb
Sadly, however, for all the kids who dream of living in the treehouse, just as Kevin Kidney once did, none of the rooms are available for rent. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 Some wouldn’t have dreamed of setting foot in this place a year ago. Max Raskin, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023 Twenty-five years ago, in a small fishing village in Iceland (population: 369), one man built a soccer field at the foot of a volcano, dreaming of a home game in the national FA Cup. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Nov. 2023 Women founders tend to build businesses that generate more revenues, create higher job growth, dream bigger, and execute better. Kumar Mehta, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 These drive-through Christmas lights are ideal for anyone who’s ever dreamed of getting transported to Candyland. Anna Borges, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Nov. 2023 Share [Findings] Cetaceans are least likely among mammals to dream profoundly. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023 Democrats have, in recent years, demonstrated the tendency to dream a little too big and pile untold sums of campaign cash in the coffers of a litany of no-hopers. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023 Based on the television series of the same name, the narrative follows a young girl who dreams of playing football in a world that’s been overrun by androids. Holly Jones, Variety, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

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 30 Nov. 2023.

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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