What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surreal
Example
The movie's plot was so surreal that I couldn't follow it. [surreal: adjective]
Example
It felt surreal to be standing on the stage in front of thousands of people. [surreal: adjective]
dreamlike
Example
The sunset over the ocean was so beautiful, it felt like a dream. [dreamlike: adjective]
Example
After taking the medicine, I felt very dreamlike and disconnected from reality. [dreamlike: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dreamlike is more commonly used than surreal in everyday language. Dreamlike is versatile and can be used to describe a wide range of experiences, while surreal is less common and is often used in specific contexts such as art criticism or to describe extreme situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surreal and dreamlike?
Both surreal and dreamlike are relatively informal words, but surreal may be slightly more formal due to its association with the artistic movement of surrealism.
