dream
gb/dɹˈim/ us/dɹˈim/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
thoughts and images during sleep
Pictures, stories, or feelings you have in your mind while you are sleeping.
Usage pattern:
to have [a dream]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dream' (sleep) with 'goal' (life ambition). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
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.)
Collocations
have a dream
|vivid dream
|strange dream
|remember a dream
Themes
psychology
|sleep
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I had a strange dream about flying over the city.
- She woke up from a vivid dream and wrote it down.
- 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.
- She told me her dream was funny.
- Last night, my dream was about school.
- I cannot remember my dream today.
Noun
A2
entity
2
something you hope to achieve
Something you really want to do, have, or be in the future.
Usage pattern:
to have [a dream] of [doing something]
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'dream' for any wish; in English, it usually refers to big, important ambitions.
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.)
Collocations
lifelong dream
|achieve a dream
|follow your dream
|dream job
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Becoming a doctor has always been her dream.
- He finally achieved his dream of starting his own company.
- 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.
- She wants to travel. That is her dream.
- He works hard for his dream.
- This is the job of my dreams.
Verb
A2
action
3
to have mental images in sleep
To see pictures or stories in your mind when you are sleeping.
Usage pattern:
to dream about [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dream of' meaning 'hope for' with 'dream about' meaning 'see in sleep'. Context matters.
Synonyms
imagine (in sleep) (Less common; refers specifically to mental activity during sleep.)
Collocations
dream about someone
|dream of flying
|dream vividly
Themes
psychology
|sleep
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I often dream about being late for school.
- Last night I dreamed I was swimming with dolphins.
- She dreamed about her grandparents.
Learner examples
- I dreamed about my friend.
- He dreamed he was in Paris.
- She dreamed she could fly.
Verb
B1
action
4
to hope or imagine something ideal
To think about something you want very much in the future.
Usage pattern:
to dream of/about [doing something]
Common mistake:
'Dream about' can mean both sleeping visions and hopes; learners must use context to tell them apart.
Synonyms
aspire (More formal; focused on ambition rather than imagination.)
Antonyms
dread (To fear something happening; opposite of hoping or wishing for it.)
Collocations
dream big
|dream of success
|never stop dreaming
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They dream of living by the sea.
- I’ve always dreamed about becoming an astronaut.
- She dreams of a better life for her children.
Learner examples
- I dream of going to Japan.
- He dreams about being rich.
- She dreams of a happy family.
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!’