Hope vs. Dream — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Hope" is a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen, while "Dream" is a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep or a cherished aspiration.
Difference Between Hope and Dream
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Key Differences
"Hope" and "Dream" might both carry a sense of longing, but they function differently within the boundaries of language. "Hope" signifies a deep-seated desire or expectation for something to come to fruition in reality. It thrives on possibility, and while it doesn't guarantee an outcome, it provides motivation. On the contrary, "Dream" largely delves into the subconscious realm, referring to the images, thoughts, and emotions one experiences during sleep.
Venturing beyond the subconscious, "Dream" can also represent an aspiration, ambition, or something one wishes to achieve in the future. This conscious form of dreaming might overlap with hope in terms of desire. Yet, while a "Dream" is more of a specific visualization or goal, "Hope" serves as the fuel, the emotion that drives a person towards their dreams.
From a linguistic perspective, "Hope" finds its roots primarily as a noun or verb, as in "I hope for peace" or "My only hope is you." Conversely, "Dream" predominantly serves as a noun, signifying either nocturnal mind journeys or aspirations, but can also act as a verb when one indulges in daydreaming or envisioning.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A feeling of expectation and desire
Thoughts during sleep or a cherished aspiration
Linguistic Function
Mainly as a noun or verb
Primarily a noun but can also be a verb
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Emotional Undertone
Positivity and optimism
Neutral (during sleep) or determination (aspiration)
Realm
Based in reality, thriving on possibility
Subconscious or aspirational
Relationship with Time
Present-focused with a look to the future
Can pertain to past, present (daydreams), or future aspirations
Compare with Definitions
Hope
A feeling of expectation.
I have hope that things will get better.
Dream
A series of thoughts during sleep.
I had a strange dream last night.
Hope
A person or thing providing optimism.
You are my only hope.
Dream
To consider or think about.
I wouldn't even dream of doing that.
Hope
Grounds for believing something.
There's little hope of finding him alive.
Dream
A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. The content and function of dreams are not fully understood, although they have been a topic of scientific, philosophical and religious interest throughout recorded history.
Hope
Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish a desire with anticipation."Among its opposites are dejection, hopelessness, and despair.
Dream
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
I had a recurrent dream about falling from great heights
Hope
To wish for a particular event that one considers possible
We are hoping for more financial support.
Dream
A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal
I fulfilled a childhood dream when I became champion
Hope
(Archaic) To have confidence; trust.
Dream
Experience dreams during sleep
I dreamed about her last night
Hope
To desire and consider possible
I hope that you will join us for dinner. We hope to buy a house in the spring.
Dream
Indulge in daydreams or fantasies about something greatly desired
She had dreamed of a trip to America
Hope
The longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence
He took singing lessons in the hope of performing in the musical.
Dream
Contemplate the possibility of doing something or that something might be the case
I wouldn't dream of foisting myself on you
I never dreamed anyone would take offence
Hope
An instance of such longing or desire
Her hopes of becoming a doctor have not changed.
Dream
A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.
Hope
A source of or reason for such longing or desire
Good pitching is the team's only hope for victory.
Dream
A daydream; a reverie.
Hope
Often Hope(Christianity) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
Dream
A state of abstraction; a trance
Wandering around in a dream.
Hope
(Archaic) Trust; confidence.
Dream
A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration
A dream of owning their own business.
Hope
To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.
I hope everyone enjoyed the meal.
I am still hoping that all will turn out well.
Dream
A wild fancy or unrealistic hope
He knew that playing for a professional team was only a dream.
Hope
To be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes.
Dream
(Informal) One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellent, or beautiful
Her boyfriend is a dream.
Hope
(intransitive) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; usually followed by in.
Dream
To experience a dream in sleep
Dreamed of meeting an old friend.
Hope
To wish.
Dream
To daydream
Sat there dreaming during class.
Hope
The feeling of trust, confidence, belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.
I still have some hope that I can get to work on time.
After losing my job, there's no hope of being able to afford my world cruise.
There is still hope that we can find our missing cat.
Dream
To have a deep aspiration or hope
Dreaming of a world at peace.
Hope
(countable) The actual thing wished for.
Dream
To regard something as feasible or practical
I wouldn't dream of skiing on icy slopes.
Hope
(countable) A person or thing that is a source of hope.
We still have one hope left: my roommate might see the note I left on the table.
Dream
To experience a dream of while asleep
Did it storm last night, or did I dream it?.
Hope
The virtuous desire for future good.
Dream
To conceive as possible; imagine
We never dreamed it would snow so much.
Hope
A hollow; a valley, especially the upper end of a narrow mountain valley when it is nearly encircled by smooth, green slopes; a combe.
Dream
To have as an aspiration or hope
She dreams that she will become a pilot.
Hope
A sloping plain between mountain ridges.
Dream
To pass (time) idly or in reverie.
Hope
(Scotland) A small bay; an inlet; a haven.
Dream
Imaginary events seen in the mind while sleeping.
Have a dream
Scary dream
Vivid dream
Erotic dream
Feel like a dream
Be in a dream
Hope
A sloping plain between mountain ridges.
Dream
(figurative) A hope or wish.
Have a dream
Fulfil a dream
Harbour a dream
Realize a dream
Hope
A small bay; an inlet; a haven.
Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy.
A dream of bliss
The dream of his youth
Live in a dream
Wake up from a dream
Impossible dream
Hope
A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.
The hypocrite's hope shall perish.
He wished, but not with hope.
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
Dream
(intransitive) To see imaginary events in one's mind while sleeping.
Hope
One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.
The Lord will be the hope of his people.
A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable.
Dream
(intransitive) To hope, to wish.
Hope
That which is hoped for; an object of hope.
Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.
Dream
(intransitive) To daydream.
Stop dreaming and get back to work.
Hope
To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; - usually followed by for.
But I will hope continually.
Dream
(transitive) To envision as an imaginary experience (usually when asleep).
I dreamed I was a superhero and flew through a fireworks show.
Hope
To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; - usually followed by in.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.
Dream
(intransitive) To consider the possibility (of).
I wouldn't dream of snubbing you in public.
Hope
To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.
We hope no other from your majesty.
[Charity] hopeth all things.
Dream
Ideal; perfect.
Hope
To expect; to fear.
Dream
The thoughts, or series of thoughts, or imaginary transactions, which occupy the mind during sleep; a sleeping vision.
Dreams are but interludes which fancy makes.
I had a dream which was not all a dream.
Hope
A specific instance of feeling hopeful;
It revived their hope of winning the pennant
Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy; a vagary; a revery; - in this sense, applied to an imaginary or anticipated state of happiness; as, a dream of bliss; the dream of his youth.
There sober thought pursued the amusing theme,Till Fancy colored it and formed a dream.
It is not them a mere dream, but a very real aim which they propose.
Hope
The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled;
In spite of his troubles he never gave up hope
Dream
To have ideas or images in the mind while in the state of sleep; to experience sleeping visions; - often with of; as, to dream of a battle, or of an absent friend.
Hope
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
Dream
To let the mind run on in idle revery or vagary; to anticipate vaguely as a coming and happy reality; to have a visionary notion or idea; to imagine.
Here may we sit and dreamOver the heavenly theme
They dream on in a constant course of reading, but not digesting
Hope
Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered;
He was their best hope for a victory
Dream
To have a dream of; to see, or have a vision of, in sleep, or in idle fancy; - often followed by an objective clause.
Your old men shall dream dreams
At length in sleep their bodies they compose,And dreamt the future fight
And still they dream that they shall still succeed
Hope
United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903)
Dream
A series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep;
I had a dream about you last night
Hope
One of the three Christian virtues
Dream
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Hope
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Dream
Imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake;
He lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality
Hope
Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes;
I am still hoping that all will turn out well
Dream
A fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe);
I have this pipe dream about being emperor of the universe
Hope
Intend with some possibility of fulfilment;
I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening
Dream
A state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality;
He went about his work as if in a dream
Hope
A desire for something to happen.
She expressed her hope for a reconciliation.
Dream
Someone of something wonderful;
This dessert is a dream
Hope
To trust or rely on.
We hope in our country's future.
Dream
Have a daydream; indulge in a fantasy
Dream
Experience while sleeping;
She claims to never dream
He dreamt a strange scene
Dream
A cherished aspiration or goal.
My dream is to travel the world.
Dream
Daydream or a fleeting thought.
I often dream about living on a beach.
Dream
Something perceived as unreal.
It felt like a dream come true.
Common Curiosities
Is "Hope" future-oriented?
Generally, it pertains to a desired future outcome.
Is "Hope" always positive?
Generally, yes. It implies optimism and expectation.
Can "Hope" be a verb?
Yes, as in "I hope to see you."
Do dreams always make sense?
Not always, especially those during sleep can be random.
Are dreams always asleep experiences?
No, they can also refer to aspirations or daydreams.
Is "Dream" always a noun?
No, it can also be a verb, like "to dream of success."
Can hopes be dreams?
Yes, when a hope takes the form of a specific aspiration.
Are dreams always pleasant?
No, they can be neutral or even nightmarish.
Can "Dream" refer to an unrealistic goal?
Yes, sometimes dreams are seen as far-fetched.
Is "Hope" passive?
Not necessarily. It can drive action and determination.
Is "Hope" tangible?
It's an intangible emotion or feeling of expectation.
Can dreams shape reality?
Yes, especially when they represent goals or aspirations.
Can you "lose hope"?
Yes, it means becoming pessimistic about an outcome.
What's the verb form of "Dream"?
"To dream," which can be about aspirations or sleep experiences.
Does "Hope" always mean certainty?
No, it's about possibility, not guaranteed outcomes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
