dream
Dream (noun) means a series of images, thoughts, or feelings experienced during sleep. Example: “I had a strange dream about flying over the ocean.”
How to use dream
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the images your mind creates while asleep, or a strong hope for your future.
Word forms
dreamed past tense, dreamt past tense, dreams plural, dreams singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I had a strange _____ about flying over the ocean.
Etymology
From Old English drēam, originally meaning "joy" or "music," which merged with a related Old Norse word draumr meaning "dream" — the exact path from "joy" to "sleeping vision" is debated by scholars.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dream
See all rhymes for dream →Frequently asked questions
What does “dream” mean?
The word “dream” means a series of images, thoughts, or feelings experienced during sleep. In plain terms, either the images your mind creates while asleep, or a strong hope for your future.
How do you pronounce “dream”?
“Dream” is pronounced DREEM (/ˈdɹiːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “dream” in a sentence?
Here is “dream” used in a sentence: “I had a strange dream about flying over the ocean.”
What part of speech is “dream”?
Depending on how it is used, “dream” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dream” come from?
The word “dream” comes from Old English. From Old English drēam, originally meaning "joy" or "music," which merged with a related Old Norse word draumr meaning "dream" — the exact path from "joy" to "sleeping vision" is debated by scholars.
Is “dream” a common word?
“Dream” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “dream” have?
“Dream” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a series of images, thoughts, or feelings experienced during sleep.
What is the difference between a dream and a nightmare?
A dream is any sequence of images and feelings you experience while asleep, and can be pleasant, strange, or neutral. A nightmare is a particular kind of dream — a frightening or distressing one that often wakes you. Every nightmare is a dream, but only the upsetting ones earn that name.
What is the difference between a dream in sleep and a dream you hope for?
The word carries two senses. A sleeping dream is the imagery your mind produces at night, beyond your control. A dream in the sense of an ambition is a cherished hope or goal you pursue while awake, as in a 'dream job'. Context makes clear which meaning is intended.
Why do we dream?
Scientists are still not certain. Leading theories suggest dreaming helps the brain process memories and emotions, rehearse responses to threats, or simply make sense of random signals during sleep. Most vivid dreams happen during REM sleep. There is no single agreed explanation, but dreaming appears to serve the mind in several ways.
Can you control your dreams?
Sometimes. In a lucid dream, the sleeper becomes aware they are dreaming and can, to a degree, steer what happens. Some people train themselves to do this through memory cues and reality checks. For most of us, though, dreams unfold on their own, without any conscious say in where they go.
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