daydream

American  

[dey-dreem] / ˈdeɪˌdrim /

noun

1. a reverie indulged in while awake.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to indulge in such a reverie.

   Synonyms:

   woolgather, muse, dream, fantasize

daydream British  

/ ˈdeɪˌdriːm /

noun

1. a pleasant dreamlike fantasy indulged in while awake; idle reverie

2. a pleasant scheme or wish that is unlikely to be fulfilled; pipe dream

---

verb

1. (intr) to have daydreams; indulge in idle fantasy

Other Word Forms

• daydreamer noun
• daydreamy adjective

Etymology

Origin of daydream

First recorded in 1675–85; day + dream

Example Sentences

Brian Bartelt, who grew up in Appleton, said his wife sometimes daydreams about warmer weather, but he sees no need to look elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Foster was initially awestruck, but he soon found himself daydreaming and thinking about what to eat for lunch.

From The Wall Street Journal

This divine disposition isn’t daydreaming, which sees only the small in the big.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after “My Name is Khan” was released, I wrote that the Mumbai film industry at times resembled “a cross between a Michael Moore daydream and an Al Jazeera documentary.”

From The Wall Street Journal

As part of the daydreaming and thought process that goes into retirement planning, Ann had the idea to take a European river cruise to see the Christmas markets.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• pipe dream
• reverie