[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dream/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / dream # dream noun (a dream, dreams); verb (dream, dreams, dreamed or dreamt, dreaming) «dream» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A dream is a set of pictures, thoughts and feelings that happen in your mind while you sleep. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m1) 2. A dream is something you wish for very much, like a goal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m2) 3. To dream is to have pictures and stories in your mind while sleeping. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m3) 4. To dream of or about something is to imagine it or wish for it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m4) 5. To dream (daydream) is to think about other things instead of paying attention. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m5) 6. «A dream» can mean something wonderful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#m6) ### In the lessons In science, dreams happen mostly in a stage of sleep called REM sleep; everyone dreams, though many dreams are forgotten. A bad dream is a nightmare. In everyday life and stories, «my dream is to be a vet» means a hope for the future; Martin Luther King's «I have a dream» speech is famous. In stories, «it was all a dream» is an ending where nothing really happened. Phrases: «have a dream», «bad dream», «dream come true», «dream of», «sweet dreams», «in your dreams», «dream big». ### Examples - I had a funny dream about a flying pig. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x1) - Sweet dreams! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x2) - Her dream is to play for the national team. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x3) - I dreamt that I could breathe under water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x4) - He dreams of visiting Australia. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x5) - Stop dreaming and finish your work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x6) - Meeting the author was a dream come true. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x7) - I woke up from a bad dream and hugged my teddy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x8) - Then it was not a dream. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/#x9) ### Note Past: «dreamed» or «dreamt» (both correct; dreamt is more British). «Dream about» is used for sleep dreams and wishes; «dream of» more for wishes. Dreams are not real and do not tell the future. A nightmare is a frightening dream. ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah, dreams can carry messages from God, as with Joseph and Pharaoh. **Interpretation.** The rabbis said a dream needs interpreting and that Joseph's gift came from God. They also taught that a dream is only partly true, so one should not rely on it. ### Examples - And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. (Torah GEN.41.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x1) - And they said one to another: 'Behold, this dreamer cometh. (Torah GEN.37.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x2) - And he said unto them: 'Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: (Torah GEN.37.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x3) - Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions; (Writings JOB.7.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x4) - Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these: (Writings DAN.2.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x5) - This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. (Writings DAN.2.36, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/#x6) ### Note Past: «dreamed» or «dreamt» (both correct; dreamt is more British). «Dream about» is used for sleep dreams and wishes; «dream of» more for wishes. Dreams are not real and do not tell the future. A nightmare is a frightening dream. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «dream» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dream/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«dream» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dream.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «dream» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dream/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«dream» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/dream.html) on Mova free.