ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dreaming

n.
US //ˈdɹimɪŋ// UK //dɹˈiːmɪŋ// dream·ing
  1. 1 the act of having dreams (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the experience of seeing images or stories in your mind while you are asleep.

    the physiological and psychological state of experiencing dreams during sleep.

    Example

    He woke up suddenly and realized his dreaming had been very vivid.

    Example

    Scientific studies suggest that dreaming occurs primarily during the REM stage of the sleep cycle, though its exact biological purpose remains debated.
    • wakefulness
  2. 2 daydreaming or hoping (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    thinking about your goals or imagining a better future while you are awake.

    the act of indulging in fantasies, aspirations, or imaginative thoughts while awake.

    Example

    Stop your dreaming and focus on the work you need to finish.

    Example

    Her constant dreaming about a career in music eventually motivated her to apply for the conservatory despite her parents' initial objections.
  3. 3 Indigenous Australian spirituality (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Religion

    the spiritual beliefs of Indigenous Australians about how the world was created.

    the central spiritual and cosmological belief system of Indigenous Australians, involving the creation of the world by ancestral beings.

    Example

    The guide explained how the Dreaming is connected to the local landscape.

    Example

    The Dreaming encompasses a complex system of law, social structures, and environmental knowledge passed down through oral traditions for millennia.

    Usage

    Usually capitalized as 'the Dreaming'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a specific cultural term; learners should use it with respect and capitalize it to distinguish it from ordinary sleep.
    • dreamtime

Last updated June 20, 2026