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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
According to Politis, employers are also developing incentive programs to get workers from various industries to fill housing and recast the dream that Gen Zs in southern Ontario can own a home. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The most significant roadblocks for the Jayhawks to their Big 12 title dreams are ultimately Jalon Daniels’ health and schools like K-State, Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma State, which will all challenge Kansas for a Big 12 title. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 But there was no firebrand leader to make local liberals dream of a bluer Orange County. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 After 10 episodes, the audience finally gets to hear a performance by Cherise, whose dream of launching a music career seems tragically out of reach. Helena Andrews-Dyer, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 When a curious young girl named Clara receives a magical Nutcracker for Christmas, her dreams come to life. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 Every nerd's dream: a badass secret agent (Yvonne Strahovski) with a heart of gold. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Yet his cruel exploitation of others’ vulnerability masks his own dreams of emigration with his adoring, cherubic young son. Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024 And part of that dream was learning to surf, hitting the waves two or three times a week between Newport Beach, Dana Point and San Onofre. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Verb
Jackie dreams of being a championship bodybuilder, while Lou is looking for a way out of town to get away from her controlling father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), a local crime boss. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Aleksei dreamed of a beautiful Russia of the future. Alina Lobzina, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 In their new book, the siblings will encourage kids to dream big. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 In the Bay Area News Group’s coverage area, a dozen teams are still chasing state title dreams, powerhouses such as the Archbishop Mitty girls and Salesian and Archbishop Riordan boys among them. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 The sensational Broadway revival is a bittersweet comedy about Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who dreams of a life on the stage. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Or at least give you somewhere gorgeous to dream about. 01 of 20 Alabama: Fairhope This gem on Mobile Bay along the shimmering Gulf of Mexico has a charming little downtown complete with a waterfront park, a pair of lovely beaches, and a fishing pier. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 This doesn’t apply to the urban air mobility Jetson dreams of electric vertical take off and landing aircraft by the way. Michael Barnard, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 There’s an earnestness and a sense of dreaming and hope that the next thing is going to do well. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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