dreamer

[ dree-mer ]

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.

dreamer

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dreamer¹

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

Example Sentences

They trained the dreamers on Morse code while they were awake.

From Singularity Hub 

While most of us are mere passengers in our dreams, yanked around by our subconscious mind, lucid dreamers become aware during sleep that they’re dreaming.

From Singularity Hub 

Businesses need to work with individuals and organizations across the board, harnessing the talents of a new generation of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers to help repair the Earth.

From Fortune

We can think of no better captain to inspire the next generation of dreamers on Nickelodeon, than she.

From Ars Technica

Before the pandemic, the “future of work” was a topic for academics and dreamers.

From Fortune

He was a dreamer, an idealist, grounded in the reality he observed around him.

From The Daily Beast

Then came Obama, handsome rider of unicorns and dreamer of hope and change.

From The Daily Beast

Allan Mayer, American Apparel's co-chair, seemingly laughed at Charney's plea, labeling him "a dreamer."

From The Daily Beast

Secretly, however, Marie pines for Emil Bergson, a dreamer and intellect who seems ill-suited to life on a farm.

From The Daily Beast

The dreamer tries to help, and fends off a man who is about to accost her with lecherous intentions.

From The Daily Beast

She moved slightly, like a dreamer in pain, as again she faced the creed she had hated through many a sleepless night.

From Project Gutenberg

It is best known from its connection with the immortal dreamer, John Bunyan, whose memory it now delights to honor.

From Project Gutenberg

This dreamer could be seen daily ferreting around the Quarter for a studio always bigger than the one he had.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps it was this very superiority over his fellows which, for the time being, at any rate, had made him a dreamer.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a dreamer's plaything and I bought it with scant savings that should have been spent on another project.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• idealist