daydream

American  

[dey-dreem] / ˈdeɪˌdrim /

noun

1. a reverie indulged in while awake.

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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

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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

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

Eden convinced an initially reluctant Jordan it was time to make the daydream real, and “Ballet Reign” premiered on Dec. 21, 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 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

She knows that writers need nonwriting jobs and suggests ones with room to daydream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

For millennials and Gen Z kids like mine, there was once a golden era when you could just daydream all day about getting your invitation to Hogwarts without any associations with a full-time transphobe.

From Salon • May 30, 2025

For the first time in many years, I could daydream about the future.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• pipe dream
• reverie