reverie

[ rev-uh-ree ]

noun

1. a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing:

   lost in reverie.

   Synonyms: brown study, abstraction

2. a daydream.
3. a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea:

   reveries that will never come to fruition.

4. Music. an instrumental composition of a vague and dreamy character.

reverie

/ ˈrɛvərɪ /

noun

1. an act or state of absent-minded daydreaming

   to fall into a reverie

2. a piece of instrumental music suggestive of a daydream
3. archaic.
   a fanciful or visionary notion; daydream

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverie¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Old French reverie, resverie, derivative of rever, resver, raver “to speak wildly, wander, dream”; rave ¹, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverie¹

C14: from Old French resverie wildness, from resver to behave wildly, of uncertain origin; see rave ¹

Example Sentences

Who were we, to interrupt this man’s reverie?

From Salon

Startled from their reverie, flurries of native hens - which piyura kitina is named after - scatter over the mossy grass as we arrive.

From BBC

Huston’s ready-made villainy won’t suffer either, although I’m pretty sure a shot of him closing his eyes — ostensibly in monstrous reverie — is really just an attempt to remember better gigs.

From Los Angeles Times

“Maaannn,” he says, leaning his head back in an amused reverie.

From Los Angeles Times

The reverie, twisted as it may be, is an apt one.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contemplation
• fantasy
• meditation
• trance