Meaning & Definition of word "Daydream"

Daydream

/ˈdeɪˌdrim/

noun:

  • 1. A series of pleasant thoughts that distract one's attention from the present.
    • Example: During the boring lecture, she found herself in a daydream about her upcoming vacation.
  • 2. A visionary idea or a fanciful thought.
    • Example: His daydream of becoming a famous artist kept him motivated to practice every day.

verb:

  • 1. To indulge in daydreams; to be lost in thought or fantasy.
    • Example: He would often daydream during meetings, imagining himself traveling the world.
  • 2. To fantasize while awake.
    • Example: She daydreamed about the life she could have if she pursued her passions.

Etymology

The term combines 'day' (during the light hours) and 'dream' (a series of thoughts or visions during sleep), denoting dreaming while awake.

Common Phrases and Expressions

daydream believer:

A person who has unrealistic hopes or dreams.

lost in a daydream:

To be completely absorbed in one's thoughts and not paying attention to the present.

daydreaming this away:

To spend time fantasizing instead of attending to real responsibilities.

Related Words

reverie:

A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.

fantasy:

The faculty or activity of imagining things, especially things that are impossible or improbable.

muse:

To be absorbed in thought or to ponder.

Slang Meanings of daydream

Meaning: Spacing out

Example Sentence: I was totally spacing out in class, just daydreaming.

Meaning: Zone out

Example Sentence: He just zoned out during the meeting, lost in a daydream.