What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dreaming
Example
Last night, I had a dream that I was flying. [dream: noun]
Example
She dreams of becoming a famous singer one day. [dream: verb]
Example
He was caught up in his own thoughts and daydreaming about his next vacation. [daydreaming: present participle]
daydreaming
Example
She spent the afternoon daydreaming about her upcoming trip to Paris. [daydreaming: present participle]
Example
His daydreams about winning the lottery kept him entertained during his commute. [daydreams: noun]
Example
The teacher scolded the student for daydreaming instead of paying attention in class. [daydreaming: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dreaming is more commonly used than daydreaming in everyday language, as it refers to the act of having dreams while sleeping. Daydreaming is less common and is often used to describe a mental escape from reality during waking hours.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dreaming and daydreaming?
Both dreaming and daydreaming are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
