Dreaming

'driːmɪŋ

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To experience thoughts, images, or sensations during sleep.

'driːmɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
General

To experience dreams while sleeping.

She was dreaming of her upcoming vacation.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're asleep and your brain makes a movie with all sorts of characters, places, and things happening! That's dreaming. Like, you might be dreaming you're flying, or eating a giant pizza.

👶 For kids: When you're sleeping, your brain makes up stories in your head. It's called dreaming!

More Examples

2

He often dreams about his childhood home.

3

The patient reported dreaming frequently during the night.

How It's Used

Psychology

"Scientists study dreaming to understand the brain's activity during sleep."

Everyday Life

"I was dreaming about flying last night."

2

To have ambitions or aspirations; to imagine a desired future.

'driːmɪŋ

verbpositivemedium
General

To indulge in reverie or fantasies; to imagine something desirable.

Many young people are dreaming of a better future.

💡 Simply: It's like wanting something super badly, and spending time thinking about how awesome it would be if it happened. Like, dreaming of winning the lottery, or dreaming of being a famous singer!

👶 For kids: It's like when you really, really want something, you dream about it!

More Examples

2

He's dreaming of starting his own business.

3

She spent her time dreaming of escaping her small town.

How It's Used

Literature

"The poet was dreaming of a world without war."

Motivational

"She's always dreaming of becoming a successful artist."

Tip:Connect the word to your goals and ambitions.

Idioms & expressions

dream on

Used to express disbelief or contempt for someone's unrealistic hopes or plans.

""I'm going to be a millionaire by next year!" "Dream on!""

a dream come true

Something that you have wanted very much for a long time that has now happened.

"Winning the competition was a dream come true for her."

From Old English *drēam* (joy, music, dream) + -ing (present participle suffix). The verb developed from the noun, reflecting the act of experiencing dreams.

Used throughout English literature and has a long history, evolving with changes in ideas about psychology and human consciousness. Appeared in early writings such as those of Chaucer.

Memory tip

Think of REM sleep and the images in your head.

dremingdreemingdreamingg

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written