Dreamed vs Dreamt
What’s the difference between them?
Dreamed
Meaning:
past tense of 'dream' (to have a series of thoughts, images, and emotions occurring during sleep)
Examples:
1. The little girl dreamed of living in a castle.
2. He dreamed of becoming a famous actor.
3. She dreamed of travelling to exotic places around the world.
Dreamt
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in British English.
Examples:
1. I dreamt of flying through the sky last night.
2. She dreamt of a better future for her children.
3. He had a strange dreamt that he couldn't quite remember.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Dreamed
1. Imagined
2. Envisioned
3. Fantasized
4. Conceived
5. Daydreamed
1. Awakened
2. Reality
3. Ignored
4. Nightmare
5. Dismissed
Dreamt
1. Imagined
2. Envisioned
3. Fantasized
4. Conceived
5. Daydreamed
1. Awoke
2. Woke
3. Not dreamed
4. Unimagined
5. Not envisioned
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Dreamed", "Dreamt".
1. Dreamed is the most commonly used form, and is found in both American and British English.
2. Dreamt is the older form and is more commonly used in British English.
3. A useful mnemonic phrase to help remember which form to use is 'Dreamed is the American variant of dreamt'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'dreamed' should be used in American English when referring to the past tense of the verb 'to dream', meaning to experience a series of images, thoughts, and sensations while sleeping.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'dreamt' is used in British English to refer to the past tense of the verb 'to dream', meaning to experience a series of images, thoughts, and sensations while sleeping.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words are pronounced differently. Dreamed is pronounced /driːmd/ while dreamt is pronounced /dremt/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is that they use the word 'dreamed' for both American and British English. It is important to note that while 'dreamt' is used in British English they both refer to the same past tense verb.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. Last night, I ___ of a serene beach with crystal clear waters.
2. In the British novel, the protagonist ___ of a mysterious old man every night.
3. The American singers latest song is titled The Night I ___ of You.
4. Have you ever ___ of flying like a bird in the sky?
5. While in London, she claimed she ___ of the same vision repeatedly.
6. Many children have ___ of becoming astronauts or pilots when they grow up.
1. dreamed/dreamt
Explanation: Theres no specific indication of British or American context, so both spellings are acceptable.
2. dreamt
Explanation: The phrase British novel indicates a British context, making the British spelling dreamt the correct choice.
3. dreamed
Explanation: The mention of American singer indicates an American context, which makes the American spelling dreamed the right choice.
4. dreamed/dreamt
Explanation: This sentence does not specify a British or American context, so both spellings are acceptable.
5. dreamt
Explanation: The mention of While in London serves as a clue to the British context, thus the British spelling dreamt should be used.
6. dreamed/dreamt
Explanation: The sentence does not specify a British or American context, hence both dreamed and dreamt are correct.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.