dreamy

American  

[dree-mee] / ˈdri mi /

adjective

dreamier, dreamiest

1. of the nature of or characteristic of dreams; visionary.

2. vague; dim.

3. soothing; restful; quieting.

   dreamy music.

4. given to daydreaming or reverie.

5. abounding in dreams; characterized by or causing dreams.

6. Informal. wonderful; marvelous.

   He has a dreamy new convertible.

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dreamy British  

/ ˈdriːmɪ /

adjective

1. vague or impractical

2. resembling a dream in quality

3. relaxing; gentle

   dreamy music

4. informal wonderful

5. having dreams, esp daydreams

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Other Word Forms

• dreamily
  adverb
• dreaminess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of dreamy

First recorded in 1560–70; dream + -y ¹

Explanation

Things that are dreamy seem slightly strange and unreal, but in a lovely way. A dreamy tune on the radio might make you close your eyes and smile. Your favorite tea shop might have a dreamy atmosphere, and your favorite movie might be slow and dreamy, with dreamlike images and meditative music. If a person is dreamy, she tends to live in her head, thinking or daydreaming. Informally, you can also describe something or someone that's wonderful or nice to look at as dreamy: "He's my favorite singer, and he's so dreamy." This casual meaning began as US teen slang in the 1940s.

Example Sentences

Here’s hoping this final weekend of May gives those of you on the East Coast the dreamy welcome-to-summer weather you missed out on over the holiday weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

She played “Choosin’ Texas” — her dreamy pop-country smash that’s currently at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 — not last but next to last, leaving “Weren’t for the Wind” as her closer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

But that dreamy feeling is doubled for American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

A dreamy dance sequence in the Hollywood hills can be as moving as a quiet conversation between a mother and her son.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Sometimes when he’s teaching, he gets dreamy, wistful.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• fanciful
• introspective
• nightmarish
• otherworldly
• pensive
• quixotic
• utopian
• whimsical