# bad dream

CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bad-dream
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

a frightening or unpleasant dream that makes you feel scared, sad, or worried while you sleep.

For teachers: an unpleasant or frightening sequence of images and emotions experienced during sleep. Often used as a less formal synonym for nightmare.

## Examples

- The child woke up crying after having a bad dream.
- I had a bad dream about failing my exams, even though I graduated years ago.
- Distinguishing between a standard bad dream and a clinical night terror is essential for determining the appropriate psychological intervention for disrupted sleep cycles.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I saw a bad dream" but "I had a bad dream" — In English, dreams are 'had' or 'experienced', not 'seen' as they might be in other languages.

## Usage notes

- Frequently precedes the verb 'to have' as the direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.