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noun

dreamboat

DREEM-boht

Dreamboat (noun) means an extremely attractive person, especially someone considered a romantic ideal. Example: “The whole office thought the new intern was an absolute dreamboat.”

noun
1
An extremely attractive person, especially someone considered a romantic ideal.
"The whole office thought the new intern was an absolute dreamboat."

How to use dreamboat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, affectionate way to call someone very attractive.

When to use it

Dated and slightly playful; rarely used seriously by younger speakers today.

Word forms

dreamboats plural

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The whole office thought the new intern was an absolute _____.

Etymology

From dream plus boat, popularised by 1930s-40s love songs about a metaphorical boat carrying a lover's dreams.

· First attested 1930

Class of 1930 dreamboat joined the language around 1930.
See the full Class of 1930 →

Rhymes for dreamboat

See all rhymes for dreamboat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dreamboat” mean?

The word “dreamboat” means an extremely attractive person, especially someone considered a romantic ideal. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, affectionate way to call someone very attractive.

How do you pronounce “dreamboat”?

“Dreamboat” is pronounced DREEM-boht (/ˈdɹimˌboʊt/ in IPA).

How do you use “dreamboat” in a sentence?

Here is “dreamboat” used in a sentence: “The whole office thought the new intern was an absolute dreamboat.”

What part of speech is “dreamboat”?

“Dreamboat” is a noun.

Where does the word “dreamboat” come from?

The word “dreamboat” dates back to around 1930. From dream plus boat, popularised by 1930s-40s love songs about a metaphorical boat carrying a lover's dreams.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial