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

On Monday, that daydreaming lad from Lancashire raced at his fifth and final Olympics, his retirement imminent at the age of 39 after a career that has cemented his place as Britain's greatest Alpine skier.

From BBC

I have to stop daydreaming and goofing around.

From Literature

We daydream that she hides me in one of the rooms of the inn and I get to stay.

From Literature

“That’s true, she could, but she’s not here right now, is she? All I can see here is a skinny little runt, a daydreaming daffodil, and a giant loaf of bread.”

From Literature

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• pipe dream
• reverie