pipe dream

noun

: an illusory or fantastic plan, hope, or story

Synonyms of pipe dream

• dream
• illusion
• daydream
• fantasy
• vision
• castle in the air
• castle in Spain

Examples of pipe dream in a Sentence

His plan for starting his own business was just a pipe dream.

opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream

Recent Examples on the Web

The Information posited, while noting that since 2020, Meta’s Reality Lab division has lost $87 billion chasing metaverse pipe dreams. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

But instant 100% tariffs look like a pipe dream given the constraints of the trade law. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Once a pipe dream, the idea of a federal film subsidy now seems like a real possibility. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 June 2026

October is no longer a pipe dream for the Sox, so plan the rest of your summer accordingly. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the fantasies brought about by the smoking of opium

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pipe dream

• academe
• cherubim
• elohim
• episteme
• seraphim
• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme

Kids Definition

pipe dream

noun

: an unreal and fantastic idea, wish, or story