English Lexicon

Dreamlike

/ˈdriːm.laɪk/
adjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #8500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Resembling a dream; having an unreal, surreal, or illusory quality.

    "Walking through the misty morning mountains felt a distinctly dreamlike experience."
  2. 2

    Suggesting a state of detached consciousness, fantasy, or hallucinatory perception.

    "She moved through the crowded room in a dreamlike daze, barely recognizing her surroundings."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old English noun 'drēam' (meaning joy, music, or illusion) combined with the Germanic root for slumbering visions, joined with the suffix '-like' originating from Old English '-līc' denoting similarity. The compound solidified in the 19th century to describe phenomena possessing the surreal, hazy qualities characteristic of dreams.

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