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Synonyms

dreamy

American  
[dree-mee] / ˈdri mi /

adjective

  • dreamier,
    comparative
  • dreamiest
    superlative
  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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

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.

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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.

See Examples For:

For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces.

From Barron's Aug. 25, 2026

On the dreamy ballad “Después de Ti,” she was joined on guitar by Greg Gonzalez of Cigarettes After Sex, reenacting their performance together from April, when Karol headlined Coachella.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

Wooden panels carved by the Indonesian Mentawai people in the first half of the 20th century are animated by playful monkeys that recall the dreamy animals of Henri Rousseau.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 31, 2026

"My crush is on you, Ellie," screams one fan, as dreamy synths usher in the anthemic chorus: "Me and you were meant to be in loooove!"

From BBC Jul. 6, 2026

“Extra biscuits,” Bobby Gene chimed in, his voice dreamy.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

While Justin Vernon of Bon Iver contributes writing and production to several tracks, the dreamier aesthetic of his own records is nowhere to be found.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

It became even dreamier when he took the outright lead after four birdies on the first nine without dropping a shot.

From BBC Apr. 10, 2025

And all the dreamier if they put that team in her town — and not that stepsister city across the river.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 8, 2025

A new album devoted to his work, performed by the Quatuor Bozzini, shows off this dreamier side of Johnson, as in the fifth and final movement of “Combinations for String Quartet.”

From New York Times Mar. 31, 2022

Her constant prattle had given way to a dreamier state.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

We asked our staffers for their dreamiest expectations and they didn’t hold back: space epics, Matt Damon in a helmet and, yes, a “Jackass” movie.

From Los Angeles Times May 14, 2026

Britain’s dreamiest indie-pop export has come along since making her highly anticipated Seattle debut at Chop Suey two and a half years ago.

From Seattle Times Feb. 12, 2024

When blended with vegan milk, maple syrup, and non-dairy chocolate, silken tofu whips up into the dreamiest mousse.

From Salon Sep. 26, 2021

The last iteration is the strangest and dreamiest and reverses almost everything, especially gender.

From Slate Aug. 24, 2020

In the other rooms of the house her parents and Rafik were wrapped in their deepest, dreamiest breaths by now.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

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