Daydream: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for moments when someone is lost in their thoughts, often during the day, imagining pleasant things.

• She often falls into a daydream during long meetings
• Lost in a daydream, he barely noticed the time passing by

Used to describe an imaginative idea, often unrealistic or unlikely to happen, sometimes in a positive or whimsical sense.

• As a child, her favorite fantasy was to be a princess living in a castle
• The movie takes you to a fantasy world full of magic and adventure

Formal term for being lost in pleasant thoughts, akin to daydreaming but often used in literature or formal speech.

• He was lost in reverie, thinking about the days gone by
• Her voice broke my reverie, pulling me back to reality

Refers to thoughts and images that occur during sleep, or aspirations and goals someone wants to achieve.

• He had a strange dream last night
• Her dream is to become a doctor someday

Continuous form of daydream, highlighting the act of being lost in pleasant, often unrealistic thoughts.

• He was daydreaming about his next vacation instead of focusing on his work
• You need to stop daydreaming and finish your homework

This word is typically used when someone is lost in their thoughts during the day, often thinking about pleasant things instead of focusing on the task at hand. It usually has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of attention.

• She often daydreams during meetings, thinking about her next vacation.
• Caught in a daydream, he didn't hear the teacher call his name.

This word involves imagining things that are unlikely or impossible, often with an element of wishful thinking. It can sometimes have a negative connotation if it's perceived as unrealistic or avoiding reality.

• He likes to fantasize about winning the lottery and living a life of luxury.
• She spent her free time fantasizing about adventures in far-off lands.

When talking about goals, aspirations, or the images and thoughts that occur while sleeping, this word is appropriate. It can be used for both positive aspirations and regular sleep experiences.

• Her dream is to become a successful artist.
• He had a strange dream about flying over mountains.

This word is used when someone creates a mental image of something. It can be either realistic or fantastical, and it does not carry negative connotations. It's about the act of thinking creatively or picturing something that isn’t currently happening.

• Can you imagine living in a world without conflict?
• He likes to imagine what his future might look like.

Similar to 'fantasize', this form is used to describe the ongoing process of imagining things that are unlikely. It often implies an extended period of wishful thinking.

• She was caught fantasizing about her dream house during the workday.
• He spent hours fantasizing about becoming a famous musician.