Daydreaming: meaning, definitions and examples

When someone is lost in pleasant thoughts or fantasies during the day, often triggered by boredom or relaxation.

• She spent the afternoon daydreaming about her upcoming vacation.
• He was daydreaming during the meeting and missed the important details.

When someone is imagining improbable or extravagant scenarios, often in a more conscious and intentional manner.

• He's always fantasizing about becoming a famous actor.
• She enjoys fantasizing about living in a mansion by the sea.

When someone's thoughts move freely from one topic to another without control or purpose, often seen as a lack of concentration.

• Her wandering thoughts made it hard to pay attention to the book she was reading.
• He couldn't focus on the conversation because of his wandering thoughts.

When someone's thoughts drift away from the task at hand, often unintentionally and without focus.

• During the lecture, her mind kept wandering to her weekend plans.
• He realized his mind was wandering and tried to refocus on his work.

This word is often used when someone is lost in thoughts or fantasies, usually during the day, and not paying attention to their current surroundings or tasks.

• She was daydreaming during the meeting, thinking about her upcoming vacation

This word is used when someone indulges in imagining things that are improbable or impossible, often involving unrealistic or exaggerated scenarios. This word can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, implying unrealistic thinking.

• He likes to fantasize about winning the lottery
• She would often fantasize about living in a castle

This word is employed when someone is forming a mental image or concept of something not present to the senses or based on a supposition rather than fact. It is a neutral term and widely applicable.

• Can you imagine what it would be like to live on Mars? He tried to imagine the layout of the new office

This word is generally used to refer to the images, thoughts, and sensations that occur in a person's mind during sleep. It can also mean having ambitions or aspirations.

• Last night, I had a strange dream about flying
• His dream is to become a successful writer