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dreamily

B2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /drˈiːmɪli/

US

  • /drˈiːmili/

Description

To do something "dreamily" means to act as if you're lost in a pleasant daydream. Someone might gaze out the window with a soft smile, speak in a quiet, faraway tone, or move as if their mind is somewhere else. A character might stare dreamily into the distance, imagining another life, or a musician might play dreamily, giving the music a soft, floating feeling. It suggests calm thoughts and gentle distance from what is happening around them.

The word often suggests gentleness, quiet pleasure, or light longing. You would not usually use it for something fast, sharp, or tense. It fits moments that feel soft, thoughtful, or a little removed from ordinary life. In stories, writers often use "dreamily" to show a character's private thoughts and feelings. For example: "She hummed dreamily, remembering summer days gone by."

Examples

  1. 1

    Travel

    She stared out the train window dreamily as the hills rolled past.

  2. 2

    Imagined future

    "Maybe we'll live by the sea one day," he said dreamily.

  3. 3

    Romantic feeling

    Anna smiled dreamily whenever someone mentioned Marco's name.

  4. 4

    Music

    The singer's voice rose and fell dreamily, and the room went quiet.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • dreamilyadverb