dream
gb/dɹˈim/ us/dɹˈim/
A2
English
~ 2900
álom, álmodik, álmodozik, ábrándozik
NOUN
A2
1
álom
A2
Usage pattern:
to have [a dream]
I had a strange dream about flying over the city.
Furcsa álmom volt arról, hogy a város felett repülök.
She woke up from a vivid dream and wrote it down.
Egy élénk álomból ébredt fel, és leírta.
Last night’s dream was so real that I felt confused when I woke up.
He often dreams about his childhood home.
The dream faded from my memory within minutes of waking.
Learner examples
I had a dream about my dog.
A kutyámról álmodtam.
She told me her dream was funny.
Azt mondta, vicces volt az álma.
Last night, my dream was about school.
I cannot remember my dream today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dream' (sleep) with 'goal' (life ambition). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Meaning
thoughts and images during sleep
Collocations
have a dream
|vivid dream
|strange dream
|remember a dream
Synonyms
vision (Can refer to a vivid dream-like image, but also applies to waking experiences.)
Antonyms
reality (The actual state of things, in contrast to imagined events during sleep.)
Themes
psychology
|sleep
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Pictures, stories, or feelings you have in your mind while you are sleeping.
A series of thoughts, images, or sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
NOUN
A2
2
álom
A2
Usage pattern:
to have [a dream] of [doing something]
Becoming a doctor has always been her dream.
Mindig is az volt az álma, hogy orvos legyen.
He finally achieved his dream of starting his own company.
Végre megvalósította az álmát, és saját céget alapított.
Traveling the world is my biggest dream.
They are working hard to make their dream come true.
Learner examples
My dream is to be a teacher.
Az az álmom, hogy tanár legyek.
She wants to travel. That is her dream.
Szeretne utazni. Ez az álma.
He works hard for his dream.
This is the job of my dreams.
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'dream' for any wish; in English, it usually refers to big, important ambitions.
Meaning
something you hope to achieve
Collocations
lifelong dream
|achieve a dream
|follow your dream
|dream job
Synonyms
goal (More general term for something one aims to achieve; less emotional than 'dream'.)
Antonyms
nightmare (In figurative use, refers to an extremely unpleasant situation, opposite of a cherished goal.)
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you really want to do, have, or be in the future.
A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal that a person strongly desires to achieve or experience.
VERB
A2
3
álmodik
A2
Usage pattern:
to dream about [something/someone]
I often dream about being late for school.
Gyakran álmodom arról, hogy elkések az iskolából.
Last night I dreamed I was swimming with dolphins.
Tegnap éjjel azt álmodtam, hogy delfinekkel úszom.
She dreamed about her grandparents.
Learner examples
I dreamed about my friend.
A barátomról álmodtam.
He dreamed he was in Paris.
Azt álmodta, hogy Párizsban van.
She dreamed she could fly.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dream of' meaning 'hope for' with 'dream about' meaning 'see in sleep'. Context matters.
Meaning
to have mental images in sleep
Collocations
dream about someone
|dream of flying
|dream vividly
Synonyms
imagine (in sleep) (Less common; refers specifically to mental activity during sleep.)
Themes
psychology
|sleep
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To see pictures or stories in your mind when you are sleeping.
To experience thoughts, images, or sensations in the mind during sleep.
VERB
B1
4
álmodozik
B1
ábrándozik
B2
Usage pattern:
to dream of/about [doing something]
They dream of living by the sea.
Arról álmodoznak, hogy a tenger mellett élnek.
I’ve always dreamed about becoming an astronaut.
Mindig is arról álmodoz tam, hogy űrhajós leszek.
She dreams of a better life for her children.
Learner examples
I dream of going to Japan.
Arról álmodozom, hogy eljutok Japánba.
He dreams about being rich.
Arról álmodozik, hogy gazdag lesz.
She dreams of a happy family.
Common mistake:
'Dream about' can mean both sleeping visions and hopes; learners must use context to tell them apart.
Meaning
to hope or imagine something ideal
Collocations
dream big
|dream of success
|never stop dreaming
Synonyms
aspire (More formal; focused on ambition rather than imagination.)
Antonyms
dread (To fear something happening; opposite of hoping or wishing for it.)
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think about something you want very much in the future.
To think about or imagine something greatly desired or ideal, often as a goal for the future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dream
IPA
GB/dɹˈim/
US/dɹˈim/
Syllables & stress
dream (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dream)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dream
- Plural: dreams
Verb
- Base: dream
- 3rd Person Singular: dreams
- Present Participle: dreaming
- Past: dreamed, dreamt
- Past Participle: dreamed
Word family
Expressions
beyond your wildest dreams
1/bɪjˈɔnd jˈʊɹ wˈaɪldɪst dɹˈimz/
idiom
better than you imagined possible
Much better than you ever thought could happen.
Examples
- The holiday was beyond our wildest dreams.
- Her success went beyond her wildest dreams.
dream come true
1/dɹˈim kˈʌm tɹˈu/
fixed phrase
something greatly desired that happens in reality
Something very good that you really wanted and it happened.
Examples
- Winning the championship was a dream come true.
- Meeting her favorite actor was a dream come true for her.
in your dreams
1/ˈɪn jˈʊɹ dɹˈimz/
idiom
informal
used to say something will not happen
Used to say that something will not happen or is not true.
Examples
- You think you can beat me? In your dreams!
- ‘I’ll be famous one day.’ ‘In your dreams.’
living the dream
1/lˈɪvɪŋ ðə dɹˈim/
idiom
informal
living life as you always wanted it to be
Living your life in the way you always wanted, often used humorously.
Examples
- Now that he works from the beach, he’s living the dream.
- ‘How’s retirement?’ ‘Living the dream!’