Pipe Dream

Pronunciation: /paɪp driːm/

Definitions of pipe dream

noun a hope or plan that is unlikely to happen

Example Sentences

A1 Having a pet unicorn is just a pipe dream.

A2 Winning the lottery without buying a ticket is a pipe dream.

B1 Becoming a famous actor overnight is often considered a pipe dream.

B2 Some people view world peace as a pipe dream given the current state of affairs.

C1 Achieving true equality for all may seem like a pipe dream, but it is a goal worth pursuing.

C2 The idea of a utopian society free from all forms of oppression is often dismissed as a pipe dream by skeptics.

Examples of pipe dream in a Sentence

formal The idea of achieving world peace in our lifetime may seem like a pipe dream, but it is a noble goal to strive for.

informal I used to think becoming a famous singer was just a pipe dream, but now I'm starting to believe it could actually happen.

slang Winning the lottery and never having to work again is just a pipe dream for most people.

figurative Her dream of living in a castle like a princess is nothing more than a pipe dream, considering she works as a waitress.

Grammatical Forms of pipe dream

• past tense: dreamed
• plural: pipe dreams
• comparative: more pipe dream
• superlative: most pipe dream
• present tense: pipe dreams
• future tense: will be pipe dreaming
• perfect tense: have dreamed
• continuous tense: is pipe dreaming
• singular: pipe dream
• positive degree: pipe dream
• infinitive: to pipe dream
• gerund: pipe dreaming
• participle: dreaming

Origin and Evolution of pipe dream

First Known Use: 1590 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'pipe dream' originated from the idea of smoking opium through a pipe, which often induced dream-like states or fantasies.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'pipe dream' has come to refer to unrealistic or impractical fantasies or hopes, moving away from its literal association with opium smoking.