Definition of dream
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 asa : a visionary (see 1visionary 2a) creation of the imagination : daydream the dreams of her youthb : a state of mind marked by abstraction or release from reality : reverie walking around in a dreamc : 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 presidentb : something that fully satisfies a wish : ideal a meal that was a gourmet's dream
dreamfulness
noundreamless
adjectivedreamlessly
adverbdreamlessness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of dream in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of dream from the Web
-
Iran’s apologists now claim that Trump is killing that dream with the new sanctions.
-
A 19-year-old football player from Waggener High School who had dreams of playing professionally was identified as the victim of a shooting in Shawnee overnight, leaving school staff and friends to grieve for his loss.
-
The dream team is back together for the first time since 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street, which was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, and Best Actor for Leo.
-
My idea of a dream vacation, on the other hand, includes something stationary, bug-free, and preferably with gourmet in-room dining.
-
A DECADES-old dream of many low-cost carriers (LCCs), to break into the market for long-haul flights, has also been a long-standing nightmare for executives at full-service airlines, who earn their corn chiefly on such routes.
-
Enter: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the celebrity designer who helped give the 38-year-old reality TV star the work space of her dreams.
-
While the flying car utopia of tomorrow still remains a pipe dream to many, the Transition roadable aircraft by Terrafugia has received deposits from hopeful buyers representing potential revenues over $25 million.
-
Porto Heli, situated in the rich agricultural region of Argolida, is a foodie paradise and locavore's dream.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of dream
Middle English dreem, from Old English drēam noise, joy, and Old Norse draumr dream; akin to Old High German troum dream
Other Psychology Terms
dream
Definition of dream
dreamed
play play \ˈdrem(p)t, ˈdrēmd\ ordreamt
\ˈdrem(p)t\;dreaming
play \ˈdrē-miŋ\intransitive verb
1 : to have a series of thoughts, images, or emotions while sleeping : to have a dream (see 1dream 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 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
Examples of dream in a Sentence
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 of dream from the Web
-
As a young boy, John Lewis dreamed of being a preacher and using his speeches to change people.
-
Dada once dreamed of becoming a schoolteacher in her village.
-
About the owner: Padilla, who is a retired construction worker, has always dreamed of owning a restaurant, and opened Volver Cantina & Grill in Palos Hills before moving that restaurant to New Lenox under a slightly different name.
-
To have four Grammy nominations, every kid dreams of that.
-
Such a move could have a chilling effect on people who dream of starting a business, said David Chase, vice president of national outreach at the Small Business Majority, an advocacy group.
-
Simone, who dreams of becoming an author, bested more than 200 students from across Broward County to garner her spot in the national competition.
-
The top two colts -- Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and hard-luck, fourth-place finisher Classic Empire -- look clearly superior to the ho-hum horses that make up the rest of the field.
-
As a name, Always Dreaming uses language that comes across at first as generalized, yet tethers so profoundly to its sport.
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.
Origin and Etymology of dream
see 1dream
DREAM Defined for English Language Learners
dream
playDefinition of dream for English Language Learners
-
: a series of thoughts, visions, or feelings that happen during sleep
-
: an idea or vision that is created in your imagination and that is not real
-
: something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time
dream
Definition of dream for English Language Learners
-
: to have visions and thoughts in your sleep : to have a dream while you are sleeping
-
: to think about something that you wish would happen or something that you want to do or be
DREAM Defined for Kids
Definition of dream for Students
dreamed
\ˈdremt, ˈdrēmd\ ordreamt
\ˈdremt\;dreaming
\ˈdrē-miŋ\1 : to have a series of thoughts or visions while sleeping
2 : to spend time having daydreams
3 : to think of as happening or possible I dream of a better world.
dreamer
\ˈdrē-mər\ noundream up
: to think of or invent Did you dream up this plan?
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about dream
-
See words that rhyme with dream Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dream Spanish Central: Translation of dream Nglish: Translation of dream for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dream for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dream
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up dream? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!