Dream — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdrēm/

Meaning & Definition of Dream

Dream (noun)

  1. a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep
  2. an experience of waking life having the characteristics of a dream
  3. a visionary creation of the imagination, daydream

Dream (verb)

  1. to have a series of thoughts, images, or emotions while sleeping, to have a dream
  2. to indulge in daydreams or fantasies
  3. to appear tranquil or dreamy

Dream (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality

    "his invention is only a dream right now, but someday it might be a reality"

    similar: chimera, conceit, daydream, delusion, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion, nonentity, phantasm, pipe dream, unreality, vision, castle in Spain, castle in the air
    related: ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp, brainchild, idea, concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention, envisaging, imaging, visualization, cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia, daymare, nightmare
    near: actuality, fact, reality

  2. something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

    "my dream is to open my own restaurant"

    similar: aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game
    related: grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus
    near: means, method, way

  3. something very good of its kind

    "the Alaskan cruise exceeded their wildest expectations—it was a dream of a vacation"

    similar: beaut, beauty, bee's knees, cat's meow, corker, crackerjack, daisy, dandy, dilly, doozy, honey, hot stuff, humdinger, hummer, jim-dandy, knockout, lollapalooza, lulu (slang), nifty, peach, pip, pippin, ripper, ripsnorter, snorter, sockdolager, standout, sweetheart, something else
    related: marvel, phenomenon, prodigy, sensation, wonder, catch, crown jewel, diamond, gem, imperial, jewel, pearl, plum, treasure
    near: bust, disappointment, dud, failure, flop, lemon, letdown, loser, stinker, turkey

Dream (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to form a mental picture of

    "I dreamed that I was living on that proverbial desert island in the South Pacific"

    similar: conceit (chiefly dialect), conceive, conjure (up), envisage, envision, fancy, fantasize, fantasy, feature, ideate, image, imagine, picture, see, vision, visualize
    related: daydream, stargaze, hallucinate, re-create, reflect, relive, reminisce, contemplate, meditate, muse, ponder, ruminate, concoct, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, plan, project, foresee, prefigure

Related Entry: American dream (noun)

American dream is a different word from Dream. The synonyms below are for American dream, not for dream.

  1. a life marked by material wealth and comfort

    "with the acquisition of a big house in the suburbs, they felt as though the American dream had indeed become a reality for them"

    similar: good life
    related: dolce vita, easy street

Related Entry: Pipe dream (noun)

Pipe dream is a different word from Dream. The synonyms below are for pipe dream, not for dream.

  1. a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality

    "opening our own restaurant has long been a pipe dream"

    similar: chimera, conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion, nonentity, phantasm, unreality, vision, castle in Spain, castle in the air
    related: ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp, brainchild, idea, concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention, envisaging, imaging, visualization, cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia, daymare, nightmare
    near: actuality, fact, reality

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dream

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dream:

Slang: lulu
Chiefly dialect: conceit
chimera, daydream, delusion, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion, nonentity, phantasm, pipe dream, unreality, vision, aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, beaut, beauty, bee's knees, cat's meow, corker, crackerjack

Related Words for Dream

ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp, brainchild, concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention, envisaging, imaging, visualization, cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia, daymare, nightmare, grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus

Near Antonyms of Dream

actuality, fact, reality, means, method, way, bust, disappointment, dud, failure, flop, lemon, letdown, loser, stinker, turkey

Word Forms of Dream

Inflections: dreamed, dreamt, dreaming

Derived words: dreamful (adjective), dreamfully (adverb), dreamfulness (noun), dreamless (adjective), dreamlessly (adverb), dreamlessness (noun), dreamlike (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Dream

Middle English dreem, from Old English drēam noise, joy, and Old Norse draumr dream; akin to Old High German troum dream

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dream

Words & Phrases Containing Dream

dream catcher, dream of, dream team, dream up, dream vision, dream away, dream on, American dream

Frequently Asked Questions about Dream

What does "Dream" mean?

"Dream" means a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dream"?

Other words for "Dream" include chimera, conceit, daydream, delusion, fancy, fantasy, figment and hallucination. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dream" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dream"?

There are 141 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dream". Common alternatives include chimera, conceit, daydream, delusion, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion and nonentity.

How do you use "Dream" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dream" in a sentence: "his invention is only a dream right now, but someday it might be a reality"; "my dream is to open my own restaurant"; "the Alaskan cruise exceeded their wildest expectations—it was a dream of a vacation".

Is "Dream" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dream" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Dream" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Dream" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Dream"?

"Dream" is pronounced /ˈdrēm/.

What is the origin of the word "Dream"?

"Dream" comes from Middle English dreem, from Old English drēam noise, joy, and Old Norse draumr dream; akin to Old High German troum dream. First known use: 13th century.