dreamer

American  

[dree-mer] / ˈdri mər /

noun

1. a person who dreams.

   The dream provides insights into the interior life of the dreamer, or so say many psychotherapists.

2. a person who lives in a world of fantasy; one who is impractical and unrealistic.

   The phrase "economically illiterate" has long been used to smear leftists as unrealistic utopian dreamers.

3. a person whose ideas or projects are considered audacious or highly speculative; visionary.

   Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was considered a dreamer—and what a wonderful dream it is!

4. Usually Dreamer Sometimes DREAMer a person who qualifies for DACA or the Dream Act.

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dreamer British  

/ ˈdriːmə /

noun

1. a person who dreams habitually

2. a person who lives in or escapes to a world of fantasy or illusion; escapist

3. archaic a prophet; visionary

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Etymology

Origin of dreamer

First recorded in 1250–1300; dreamer def. 4 first recorded in 2010–15; Middle English; see dream, -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

It also hired the team behind Dreamer, a platform for users to build AI agents, and signed a licensing agreement for the company’s technology.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Born in Nigeria's south-eastern state of Enugu in 1982, Odira Nwobu landed his first professional role - in a film called Joseph the Dreamer - straight out of secondary school.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

That was when the Chino High School student, a Dreamer, learned an immigration judge had effectively shelved his deportation proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

“To think that concessions are going to be made without benefiting a single Dreamer, a single farm worker, a single undocumented essential worker is unconscionable,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

“A friend. Dreamer, wizard, call him what you will. The last green-seer.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• idealist