daydream
Americannoun
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daydreams
plural
verb (used without object)
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daydreams,
present (3rd person singular)
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daydreamed,
past participle, past
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daydreaming
present participle
noun
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a pleasant dreamlike fantasy indulged in while awake; idle reverie
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a pleasant scheme or wish that is unlikely to be fulfilled; pipe dream
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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daydreamsimple
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daydreamssimple
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have daydreamedperfect
-
has daydreamedperfect
-
am daydreamingprogressive
-
are daydreamingprogressive
-
is daydreamingprogressive
-
have been daydreamingperfect progressive
-
has been daydreamingperfect progressive
Past
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daydreamedsimple
-
had daydreamedperfect
-
was daydreamingprogressive
-
were daydreamingprogressive
-
had been daydreamingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of daydream
Explanation
A daydream is a fantasy you have while you're awake. Daydreams are pleasant, and they can be so absorbing that they distract you from what's going on around you. You might have a daydream about moving to a big city, or about how you'd spend your millions if you won the lottery. To do this — dream, muse, or fantasize — is also to daydream. Your math teacher might scold you, saying, "You can't daydream in the middle of the calculus final!" The word dates from the 17th century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
We’re presumed to be coldhearted tyrants who spend too much money on gear and private coaches and daydream about DI scholarships that will never come.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
My Venus is in Pisces, and I feel like all I can do is daydream about the unrequited love I have and the objects of my desire who will never know I even exist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
"That's what life's about, right? You daydream and you dream about the biggest things possible. Then you try and make it a reality."
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
The success of the bearded, ass-kicking Ranger marked a stunning reversal of fortune for Norris, who grew up a shy, unathletic child, who "used to daydream about being strong...to beat up the bullies".
From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026
I had just started to daydream again about another scene with me and Vega going after them when Ma shouted out so loud it made me jump.
From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore
She urges the medical profession to study music’s ability to “kickstart new patterns of thought” through daydreams as an alternative to drugs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
As long as J.D.’s daydreams and goofy bromance with Turk remain, I’m all in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026
Fuel those escapist daydreams with travel inspiration ideal for decorating dreary cubicles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025
On the itchy, impatient Can Time Move Faster, she daydreams about escaping its grasp.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2025
But I do like the feeling of getting into my little car, knowing for the next couple of hours I’ll have only the roads, the big grey sky and my daydreams for company.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
If you’ve ever daydreamed about owning an item from Carrie Bradshaw’s closet or the writing desk where she penned her famous memoir, this L.A. event may be your golden ticket.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026
Commander Murphy likened Khalife to the self-aggrandising fictional character Walter Mitty, who daydreamed about extraordinary personal triumphs.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2024
For years, April had daydreamed about seeing Hunter again, imagining that he would still be the little boy she remembered.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2024
Vincent‘s purchase came after years of perusing yard sales and thrift stores with her mother. She loves PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” and has daydreamed many times of this kind of lottery ticket-level transaction.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 21, 2023
But as much as I’d daydreamed about attending gymnastics camp with some of my elite-level idols, I had something else on my mind that afternoon.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
Wakeful rest can include activities such as daydreaming, drawing, listening to music, or chatting with friends, which can promote learning.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
When we’re daydreaming and ruminating and self-reflecting and mentally time-traveling or imagining other people’s thoughts, we’re not present.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
Sophie compared it to daydreaming, but is completely unaware of what she does in those moments and they leave her feeling drained and exhausted.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
I don’t remember the impact of their split, but later, my mother told me my first-grade teacher said I had started daydreaming after being very attentive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
That day, as Mr. Birkway talked about Greek mythology, I started daydreaming about my mother, who loved books almost as much as she loved all her outdoor treasures.
From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
