# dream

/ˈdɹim/ (US) · /dɹˈiːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dream
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. while sleeping

noun · CEFR A2

the stories, pictures, or feelings you have in your mind while you are asleep.

For teachers: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

- I had a strange dream last night about flying over the ocean.
- Neurologists suggest that the vivid dreams experienced during REM sleep may play a crucial role in memory consolidation and emotional processing.

### 2. a hope or goal

noun · CEFR A2

something that you really want to happen in the future.

For teachers: a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.

- Her dream is to become a professional pilot and travel the world.
- The young entrepreneur worked tirelessly to turn his childhood dream of launching a sustainable tech company into a profitable reality.

### 3. to see images while sleeping

verb · CEFR A2

to experience stories or images in your mind while you are asleep.

For teachers: to experience dreams during sleep; often takes the preposition 'about'.

- I often dream about my childhood home when I am feeling stressed.
- Although she rarely remembers the details, she tends to dream more frequently when the temperature in the room is slightly cooler.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'about' or 'of'.

### 4. to imagine or hope

verb · CEFR B1

to think about something you want very much, even if it seems unlikely.

For teachers: to indulge in daydreams or to contemplate a possibility as an aspirational goal.

- He spent the whole afternoon dreaming of his upcoming summer holiday.
- Many people dream of winning the lottery, yet few consider the practical complications that sudden wealth often brings.

### 5. perfect or ideal

adjective · CEFR B1

describing something that is perfect or exactly what you wanted.

For teachers: representing an ideal or perfect version of something; used attributively before a noun.

- They finally found their dream house near the beach.
- After years of saving, she was finally able to afford her dream car, complete with all the modern safety features she required.

Usage: Always placed before the noun it describes.

## Examples

- I had a strange dream about flying last night.
- Her lifelong dream is to open a small bakery in her hometown.
- The boundary between vivid dream and waking reality often blurs during the first few seconds after a sudden alarm.

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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.