Word
daydream
Phoneticsday·dream, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdeɪˌdɹim/
UK/dˈeɪdɹiːm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a dream-like series of thoughts you have while you are awake.
n. a sequence of pleasant thoughts or fantasies experienced while awake, often as a form of escapism.
Examples
“He had a daydream about winning the lottery.”
“She spent the entire afternoon in a daydream about her future wedding, completely ignoring the phone calls from her boss.”
“While a brief daydream can be a harmless escape from the monotony of daily life, a persistent one may indicate a lack of engagement with the immediate environment or a deeper psychological need for change.”
Examples
simple
“He had a daydream about winning the lottery.”
contextual
“She spent the entire afternoon in a daydream about her future wedding, completely ignoring the phone calls from her boss.”
complex
“While a brief daydream can be a harmless escape from the monotony of daily life, a persistent one may indicate a lack of engagement with the immediate environment or a deeper psychological need for change.”
Usage
Commonly used with the prepositions 'in' or 'about'.
Etymology
From day + dream. Compare West Frisian deidream (“daydream”), Dutch dagdroom (“daydream”), German Tagtraum (“daydream”), Swedish dagdröm (“daydream”), Icelandic dagdraumur (“daydream”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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