dream
/driːm/ (bre, ipa) · /driːm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdrēm/ (ame, mw)
dream — noun
- dreamsingular
- dreamsplural
1. a series of pictures, happenings, or sensations created by the sleeping brain.
a series of pictures, happenings, or sensations created by the sleeping brain.
Niran had a strange dream last night about flying over a city.
Ezra woke up and could still remember every detail of his dream.
Scientists are still studying what happens inside the brain during a dream.
That dream felt so real that Tariq checked his phone after waking up.
A nightmare is a type of dream that causes a strong feeling of fear.
文法句型
dream + about/of
have + a + dream
常見錯誤
2. something you hope very much to achieve or become, even if it seems difficult or
something you hope very much to achieve or become, even if it seems difficult or unlikely to happen.
Lan's dream is to open a small café by the beach in Thailand.
pattern: dream is to + infinitive
For many young athletes, competing in the Olympics is a lifelong dream.
collocation: lifelong dream
Asher gave up his dream of becoming a musician to work in a bank.
Saving enough money to buy a house seemed like an impossible dream.
The scholarship made Élise's dream of studying abroad finally possible.
- ambition
more determined and effort-focused; a dream can be passive, ambition implies action
- goal
more concrete and measurable; a dream may be more general or vague
- aspiration
more formal; often used for noble or long-term aims
- nightmare
a frightening or undesirable situation, opposite of a desired dream
文法句型
dream of + noun/gerund
have a dream to + infinitive
用法筆記
Often used with possessive adjectives: 'her dream', 'his lifelong dream'. Also common in the pattern 'dream of + gerund'.
常見錯誤
3. something very good that you wanted to happen for a long time and that actually
something very good that you wanted to happen for a long time and that actually takes place.
Getting the research position in Paris was a dream come true for Jabari.
phrase: a dream come true
For a book lover, a week at the old library is a dream come true.
Winning first prize at the science fair was a dream come true for the students.
Joaquín said that marrying his best friend was a dream come true.
- fulfillment
more formal; focuses on the completion of a wish
- nightmare
a real-life bad situation, opposite of a wished-for event
文法句型
a dream come true
用法筆記
Always used as a fixed phrase: 'a dream come true'. The verb 'come' is in base form regardless of tense.
常見錯誤
4. something or someone that is excellent, beautiful, or very enjoyable, often used
something or someone that is excellent, beautiful, or very enjoyable, often used to describe an experience or object that gives great pleasure.
The little cottage by the lake was an absolute dream during our holiday.
usage: 'a dream' = wonderful thing or experience
Stephanie said her new bicycle was a dream to ride around the old town.
That chocolate cake was a dream — rich, soft, and beautifully decorated.
Ritu's wedding dress was a dream, made of white silk and delicate lace.
- nightmare
informal too; a very unpleasant experience or thing
文法句型
a + dream
absolute dream
用法筆記
Informal. Commonly used in spoken English and personal writing. Often modified by 'absolute': 'an absolute dream'.
5. the most desirable or perfect version of something that a person can imagine, of
the most desirable or perfect version of something that a person can imagine, often used in the fixed phrases 'of your dreams' and 'beyond your dreams'.
Allison finally found the house of her dreams near the coast.
idiom: 'of your dreams' = ideal version
The vacation was beyond anything the family had ever dreamed of.
For a history lover, working in that museum is the dream of a lifetime.
Anthony's new job paid more than he had ever dreamed possible.
The trip to Japan was beyond our wildest dreams in every way.
- ideal
focuses on perfection; 'dream' adds emotional desire
- perfect example
more analytical; 'dream' is more personal and emotional
文法句型
dream of + noun
beyond + possessive + wildest dreams
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (DREAM GOAL): sense 2 is about a goal you work toward; sense 5 is about an abstract ideal that may already exist ('the house of my dreams' is the ideal house, not necessarily one you are working to buy).
dream — adjective
- dreampositive
- dreamercomparative
- dreamestsuperlative
1. used before a noun to describe the most wanted or ideal example of something, su
used before a noun to describe the most wanted or ideal example of something, such as a house, job, or holiday.
Christoper's dream job involves travelling to different countries every month.
adjective use: dream job / dream house / dream holiday
The Sumin family finally moved into their dream home last spring.
For a keen surfer, the coast of Portugal is a dream destination.
Winning the lottery and buying a dream car was all he talked about.
A dream vacation for Daniel would be exploring the temples of Kyoto.
文法句型
dream + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb: you cannot say 'This house is dream.' Instead use 'This house is a dream' (noun sense 4) or 'This is our dream house' (adjective).
常見錯誤
dream — verb
- dreampresent simple I / you / we / they
- dreams3rd person singular
- dreaming-ing form
- dreamedpast simple
1. to have pictures and situations come into your head during the time you are slee
to have pictures and situations come into your head during the time you are sleeping.
Last night Lisa dreamed that she was flying over the mountains.
dream + that-clause for sleep content
Diya often dreams about her grandmother's old house by the sea.
Do you usually remember what you dreamed about the night before?
Niran dreamed that a white cat was sitting on his desk at work.
Some people say they never dream at night, but everyone dreams during sleep.
- have a vision
more spiritual or religious; not used for normal sleep dreams
文法句型
dream + about + noun/gerund
dream + that-clause
用法筆記
Both 'dream about' and 'dream of' are used for sleep-dreams. 'Dream of' is slightly more formal and literary; 'dream about' is more common in everyday speech. Both 'dreamed' and 'dreamt' are acceptable past forms, though 'dreamed' is more common in American English and 'dreamt' in British English.
常見錯誤
2. to be wrong about something you thought you saw, heard, or did, because your min
to be wrong about something you thought you saw, heard, or did, because your mind created a false memory instead of reality.
Ezra was sure he had locked the front door, but he must have dreamed it.
past speculation: must have dreamed it
Yael thought she saw a bear in the garden but must have dreamed it.
If you think I agreed to lend you that much money, you are dreaming.
The exam questions were all easy — or did I dream that?
Lan thought she heard someone call her name but decided she had dreamed it.
文法句型
must have dreamed it
did I dream that?
you're dreaming
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the pattern 'must have dreamed it' when a person is confused about whether something was real. Also used in the fixed phrase 'you're dreaming' to tell someone firmly that their belief is false.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I must have dreamt it' is correct, but learners sometimes write 'I must have been dreaming it' — the simple perfect 'have dreamed' is the standard form for this sense.
3. to hope for or imagine something you would very much like to happen in the futur
to hope for or imagine something you would very much like to happen in the future.
Tariq dreams of becoming a famous novelist after he finishes university.
pattern: dream of + gerund for aspirations
Many young dancers dream about performing on a stage in New York.
Jabari never dreamed that his small business would grow so quickly.
What do you dream about when you imagine your life ten years from now?
The Okonkwo family dreams of visiting their relatives in Nigeria next year.
- dread
to fear something that might happen; the opposite of hoping for it
文法句型
dream of + noun/gerund
dream about + noun/gerund
never dreamed + that-clause
用法筆記
Both 'dream of' and 'dream about' are common for this sense, with 'dream of' being more frequent. The negative past 'never dreamed (that)' is a common pattern expressing surprise that something desired actually came true or happened.
常見錯誤
4. a fixed expression telling a person that the thing they expect or hope for has n
a fixed expression telling a person that the thing they expect or hope for has no realistic chance of happening.
You think you can finish this huge report in one day? You are dreaming!
phrase: you're dreaming = unrealistic hope
Asher wants a pay rise after just one month in the job — he is dreaming.
Mayumi thinks she can become a singer without any training; she is dreaming.
A luxury cruise on an assistant's salary? You are dreaming, my friend.
- be kidding yourself
similar meaning; implies self-deception
文法句型
you're dreaming
用法筆記
Fixed phrase 'you're dreaming' / 'he's dreaming' / 'she's dreaming'. Always expressed in the present continuous. Never used in past tense. Always informal and often blunt or humorous.