nightmare
NYT-meh-uh
Nightmare (noun) means a frightening or unpleasant dream. Example: “The child had a nightmare about being lost in a dark forest.”
noun
1
A frightening or unpleasant dream.
"I had a nightmare that I tried to run but could neither move nor breathe."
"The child had a nightmare about being lost in a dark forest."
"I keep having the same nightmare whenever I eat cheese late at night."
"She woke up gasping from a nightmare."
2
Any deeply unpleasant, stressful, or frightening situation.
"Finding a parking space in town on Saturday is a nightmare."
"Moving house with three small children was an absolute nightmare."
"The flight delay turned our trip home into a total nightmare."
How to use nightmare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scary dream, or by extension any awful, stressful experience.
Common mistake
The "mare" in nightmare has nothing to do with horses — it comes from an old word for a demon.
Common pairings
have a nightmare
a recurring nightmare
a logistical nightmare
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Word forms
- Plural
- nightmares
- Third person singular
- nightmares
- Past tense
- nightmared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child had a _____ about being lost in a dark forest.
Etymology
From Middle English nightmare, from night plus mare, an old word for an evil spirit believed to sit on a sleeper's chest and cause suffocating dreams — not related to the horse sense of "mare."
Related words
Rhymes for nightmare
See all rhymes for nightmare →Frequently asked questions
What does “nightmare” mean?
The word “nightmare” means a frightening or unpleasant dream. In plain terms, a scary dream, or by extension any awful, stressful experience.
How do you pronounce “nightmare”?
“Nightmare” is pronounced NYT-meh-uh (/ˈnaɪt.mɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nightmare” in a sentence?
Here is “nightmare” used in a sentence: “She woke up gasping from a nightmare.”
What part of speech is “nightmare”?
“Nightmare” is a noun.
Where does the word “nightmare” come from?
The word “nightmare” comes from Middle English. From Middle English nightmare, from night plus mare, an old word for an evil spirit believed to sit on a sleeper's chest and cause suffocating dreams — not related to the horse sense of "mare.".
Is “nightmare” a common word?
“Nightmare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “nightmare” have?
“Nightmare” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a frightening or unpleasant dream.
What is the difference between a 'nightmare' and a 'bad dream'?
A nightmare is an especially frightening or distressing dream, often vivid enough to wake the sleeper. A bad dream is a milder, less alarming version that may cause unease but usually does not jolt someone awake.
What is the difference between a 'nightmare' and a 'night terror'?
A nightmare is a frightening dream that the sleeper typically remembers on waking. A night terror is a different sleep event in which a person may appear panicked or scream during deep sleep, yet usually has little or no memory of it afterward.
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