dreamer

UK: ˈdriːmə | US: ˈdriːmər

Definition
  1. n. a person who dreams or frequently thinks about imaginative or unrealistic ideas

  2. n. a person who aspires to achieve something ambitious or idealistic

Structure
dream <mental imagery during sleep>er <one who does>
Etymology

The word "dreamer" combines "dream," derived from Old English drēam (originally meaning "joy, music," later evolving to "mental imagery during sleep"), with the agentive suffix "-er," indicating "one who does." Over time, "dreamer" shifted from literal sleep-related imagery to figurative aspirations, reflecting societal views of idealism and imagination.

Examples
  1. She was always a dreamer, sketching futuristic cities in her notebook.

  2. The inventor was dismissed as a dreamer until his prototype succeeded.

  3. Young dreamers often challenge the status quo with bold visions.

  4. He’s not just a dreamer—he turns ideas into actionable plans.

  5. The novel’s protagonist is a dreamer who escapes reality through fantasy.