daydream

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A series of pleasant thoughts that take your attention away from what you are doing.

   Grammar: Countable noun: you can have a daydream or daydreams.

   Patterns

   • have a daydream
   • in a daydream
   • a daydream about something

   She was lost in a daydream about her summer vacation.

   During the lecture, he had a daydream about lying on a beach.

   My daydreams often involve winning a big prize.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To let your mind wander into pleasant thoughts instead of paying attention.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'about' or 'of': 'daydream about something'.

   Patterns

   • daydream about something
   • daydream of doing something
   • daydream in class

   He often daydreams about traveling the world.

   Stop daydreaming and finish your homework.

   She daydreamed of becoming a famous singer.

Word forms

Common combinations

in a daydream

He was in a daydream and didn't hear the question.

have a daydream

I had a daydream about quitting my job and sailing away.

daydream about

She daydreams about living in a big city.

lost in a daydream

He was lost in a daydream during the meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

reverie

More literary and formal; 'daydream' is the everyday word.

fantasy

Often more elaborate or unrealistic; a daydream is usually a brief, pleasant wandering of the mind.

Opposites

Word family

daydreamer noun

A person who often daydreams.

daydreaming noun

The act of having pleasant thoughts that distract you.

Commonly confused: daydream or dream?

Practice

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