dreamlike quality

USAGE SUMMARY

"dreamlike quality" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a feeling that resembles a dream, such as a vivid memory, a beautiful landscape, or even a work of art. For example, "The treehouse was like something out of a fairytale, with its dreamlike quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The scene has a dreamlike quality.

The New Yorker

The violence had a highly aestheticized, dreamlike quality — Adbusters' signature.

The New Yorker

Some of the looks had a dreamlike quality.

Independent

There is a dreamlike quality to every commencement day.

The New York Times

Robbins's simplest improvisations have the dreamlike quality of a casual encounter gone subtly awry.

The New Yorker

We had to work harder to get the same dreamlike quality.

The New York Times - Science

His arrival in England from the MetroStars during the 2003-4 season had a dreamlike quality.

The New York Times - Sports

Today Lausanne's vertical, steep streets and sidewalks retain a dreamlike quality.

The New York Times - Travel

There's an enigmatic, dreamlike quality to the whole installation, and it's tinged by an affecting sadness.

The New York Times - Arts

For many of the protesters, there is a dreamlike quality to these days.

The New York Times

Despite the album's polished grooves, the shifting story lines gave it a gauzy, dreamlike quality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an experience, use sensory details to enhance the "dreamlike quality". Instead of simply stating it feels like a dream, describe the specific sensations, visuals, and emotions that contribute to this feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "dreamlike quality" as a generic descriptor. Instead, consider more specific adjectives or phrases to convey the intended nuance, such as 'ethereal', 'surreal', or 'hallucinatory', depending on the precise effect you wish to create.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreamlike quality" primarily functions as a descriptive element, where 'dreamlike' acts as an adjective modifying 'quality'. It serves to attribute a specific characteristic – that of resembling a dream – to a noun, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Arts

22%

Books

12%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Music

5%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreamlike quality" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something that possesses the characteristics of a dream. According to Ludwig, its meaning is clear, and it finds relevance across various domains like News & Media, Arts and Books. While the phrase is considered acceptable and appropriate, writers should aim for specificity and avoid overuse in favor of more nuanced descriptors. The related alternatives like "surreal atmosphere" and "unreal quality" can be useful depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreal quality

Emphasizes the lack of authenticity or the fantastical aspect.

surreal atmosphere

Focuses on the environment's bizarre, unreal nature.

fantasy-like essence

Highlights the resemblance to a fantastical story or world.

ethereal nature

Indicates a delicate, heavenly, or otherworldly characteristic.

visionary feel

Suggests an imaginative and inspired perception.

fanciful air

Implies a whimsical and imaginative quality.

illusory character

Points to something deceptive or not based on reality.

trancelike state

Describes a state of consciousness similar to being in a trance or dream.

oneiric property

Uses a more technical term to describe something resembling a dream.

hallucinatory aspect

Suggests a quality resembling hallucinations or altered perception.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "dreamlike quality" in a sentence?

To effectively use "dreamlike quality", ensure the context clearly establishes a connection to unreality, altered perception, or a state resembling a dream. For example, "The lighting in the forest gave the scene a "dreamlike quality", as if taken from a fairy tale".

What's the difference between "dreamlike quality" and "surreal atmosphere"?

"Dreamlike quality" refers to a specific characteristic resembling a dream, while "surreal atmosphere" describes the overall environment as bizarre or illogical. While related, the former focuses on a feature, and the latter on the setting. You can use "surreal atmosphere" when you want to describe a place.

Are there situations where using "dreamlike quality" would be inappropriate?

Yes, it would be inappropriate to use "dreamlike quality" when describing something concrete, realistic, or grounded in reality. The phrase implies a departure from the ordinary and a connection to the realm of dreams or fantasy.

What are some alternative phrases to "dreamlike quality" that I can use to add variety to my writing?

You can use alternatives like "ethereal nature", "unreal quality", or "fantasy-like essence" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.