dreamily
Americanadverb
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in a way that relates to or resembles a dream.
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in a musing, absent-minded way, as if in a daydream.
Explanation
Doing something dreamily means acting as though you're half-awake or somewhat removed from reality. If you're thinking about your crush, you may respond to your math teacher's question by smiling dreamily. If you're walking dreamily down the street, you're not fully aware of where you are and what you're doing, because your mind is elsewhere. When someone acts dreamily, they seen ti be thinking happy thoughts or having a lovely daydream. It may drive you crazy when you're waiting for your brother's pizza order as he stares dreamily out the window. Dreamily is from dream and its Germanic root, which means "deception or illusion."
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.
This time on the road is particularly evident in the six weather-focused, dreamily atmospheric paintings that constitute the exhibition.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
But while there are songs of struggle, at least half of the record is a tribute to his partner, especially on the yacht rock of Better Man; and the dreamily devoted Electric Marine Blue.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025
In our chairs, we relaxed, staring off dreamily.
From Slate ● May 18, 2024
Lyniv’s sense of rubato created just enough elasticity for the singers to phrase naturally, as in the ministers’ dreamily nostalgic “Ho una casa nell’Honan.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 29, 2024
“She thinks there are five fingers on a hand,” Esther put in dreamily.
From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
