‘Dreamed' or 'Dreamt': What's the Difference?

Have you been wondering what the difference is between ‘dreamed’ and ‘dreamt’? And wondering how best to use each word? We’ll answer that in this article, plus we’ll teach you how to use both words correctly in a sentence.

Don’t feel like skimming? Here’s a quick answer. ‘Dreamed’ and 'dreamt' are both the past tense of ‘dream.’ They both mean a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep.

‘Dreamed’ or ‘Dreamt’ – Which is Right? 

We know that it’s acceptable to use both ‘dreamed’ and ‘dreamt.’

Both words are acceptable past tense forms of the word ‘dream.’

They're both technically correct, but 'dreamed' is the American English spelling of the word. The other version is the British English spelling of the word.

You can use them interchangeably because they mean the same thing if you're going to be writing for a different audience.

‘Dreamed’ or ‘Dreamt’ – Which is It? 

As we just discussed, ‘dreamed’ and ‘dreamt’ are both okay to use. That means you can decide which one to use based on your personal preferences or the audience you're writing for.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Dreamed’ and ‘Dreamt’

 So what does 'dreamed' and 'dreamt' mean exactly?

According to Merriam-Webster, the words can be defined as a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep, including REM sleep. It can also refer to a daydream, visions you have while awake. A dream also refers to something you hope to have or accomplish in the future.

Synonyms of the word include:

Noun

• Chimera
• Delusion
• Conceit
• Figment
• Illusion
• Daydream
• Fantasy
• Hallucination
• Nonentity
• Fancy
• Pipe dream
• Vision

Verb

• Conceive
• Envisage
• Ideate
• Picture
• See
• Image
• Imagine
• Visualize
• Picture

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce 'Dreamed' and 'Dreamt'

Wondering how to pronounce these words aloud? Here's a short guide:

• To pronounce the word 'dreamed' correctly, check out the phonetic spelling: dREEMd
• To pronounce the word 'dreamt' correctly, check out the phonetic spelling: drEHmt

How to Use ‘Dreamed’ in a Sentence 

We’ve covered the definition and meaning and the differences between the words. Let’s look at how to use them in a sentence.

• I dreamed that I got a modeling contract with a top agency.
• When I was six years old, I dreamed I was a princess.
• I can’t believe I dreamed about my trainer last night.
• I dreamed up some pretty horrible things when I was a kid. I had a crazy imagination.
• The dreams I dreamed after drinking was crazy. Is that how it's always going to be?
• I always dreamed of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon like Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy.

How to Use ‘Dreamt’ in a Sentence

• Last night, I dreamt I got attacked by a shark.
• No one asked me what I dreamt about the night I woke up screaming.
• I dreamt some pretty crazy dreams after drinking all night.
• Whether what you dreamt was scary or not is subjective.
• I’ve never dreamt anything as scary as I did last night.
• I dreamt I sent out a mass email with an embarrassing photo attached.

As you can see, these words can be used interchangeably because they mean the same thing.

Concluding Thoughts on ‘Dreamed’ and ‘Dreamt’

Now that you know what ‘dreamed’ and ‘dreamt’ mean and how to use them both in a sentence, you can form some sentences of your own. Use the above examples as a guide.

Not feeling fully confident? You can always pop back over for a refresher anytime you need to. We’ve got a ton of content dedicated to explaining confusing words and phrases in the English language.