dream

noun, often attributive

\ ˈdrēm

Definition of dream

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

4a : 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

dream

verb

dreamed\ ˈdrem(p)t

, ˈdrēmd

\ or dreamt\ ˈdrem(p)t

\; dreaming\ ˈdrē-miŋ

Definition of dream (Entry 2 of 2)

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 shadows— Gladys 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

dream of

: to consider possible or fitting wouldn't dream of disturbing you

Other Words from dream Synonyms Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About dream

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Other Words from dream

Noun

dreamful \ ˈdrēm-fəl

\ adjective

dreamfully \ ˈdrēm-fə-lē

\ adverb

dreamfulness noun

dreamless adjective

dreamlessly adverb

dreamlessness noun

dreamlike \ ˈdrēm-ˌlīk

\ adjective

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 Eric Haase continued his dream season with another homer, his fifth in seven games. — Dana Gauruder, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2021 To assemble their dream lineup, the pair called upon an old friend and Fixer Upper's favorite woodworker, Clint Harp, and got him on board for a historic restoration show. — Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 9 July 2021 As the years went on though, that dream became more tangible. — Jayna Bardahl, The Enquirer, 8 July 2021 Architectural Digest is welcomed to Atlanta, Georgia by actor and musician Tyrese Gibson for a tour of his six-story dream mansion. — Mike Rose, cleveland, 8 July 2021 Blair Waldorf’s dream school in the original series. — Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 8 July 2021 In their letter, the sleep scientists express concern about this sort of intrusive dream advertising. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 8 July 2021 With its imposing Gothic Revival architecture and views of the Hudson River, Lyndhurst Mansion is sure to be a dream wedding location. — Mary Elizabeth Andriotis, House Beautiful, 8 July 2021 Hawes’ dream store is mostly self-funded, with some help from his parents. — BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Bucks could only dream of having that many guys involved. — Brian Mahoney, Chron, 9 July 2021 The Bucks could only dream of having that many guys involved. — Brian Mahoney, ajc, 9 July 2021 The Bucks could only dream of having that many guys involved. — Brian Mahoney, Star Tribune, 8 July 2021 Create Strong Running Plays After the design was outfitted with all the technology that consumers could dream of, the cartridges were packed up to arrive onsite. — Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 7 July 2021 The new show spends the kind of money the old show could only dream of its characters having. — Hunter Harris, Vulture, 22 June 2021 The latter is originally set after the events of the former, but the show's adaptation combines them, bringing characters together in ways diehard fans could only dream about. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Apr. 2021 The clubs that weren’t included hate it, too, and not just the small ones that couldn’t dream of European competition anyway. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 20 Apr. 2021 Spread your wings and don’t be afraid to dream of achieving a major career upgrade. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 22 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dream.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.