lofty dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lofty dream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ambitious or idealistic aspiration that someone hopes to achieve. Example: "Her lofty dream of becoming a renowned scientist inspired her to work tirelessly throughout her education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's a lofty dream, particularly because he is no longer around to speak at fund-raisers.

The New York Times

AFTER more than five months of continuous protests, I stand today in Change Square with thousands of young people united by a lofty dream.

The New York Times

The Eradication Process At the time, leading public health experts had a lofty dream: getting clean water to everyone on earth.

The New York Times - Health

She has never been shy either about her ambitions to become the greatest player in the world, even if at times throughout her career that seemed a lofty dream.

The Guardian - Sport

Due to complicated water use issues negotiated by the World Bank for the Indus Basin Treaty between India and Pakistan, any sharing of data between China, India, and Pakistan in pursuance of state-driven international cooperation under the guidance of SFDRR is a lofty dream.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Padda knows unifying the world is a lofty dream.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Both grew up with lofty dreams of practicing medicine.

The New York Times

The rising cost of electricity has confounded other lofty dreams, like the ropeless elevator.

The New Yorker

Lofty dreams and big ambitions, an eye to abstract values and the gift of gab, are no longer enough to bear the moral conscience of the nation.

The New Yorker

AS USUAL at such shindigs, lofty dreams of pan-Asian economic integration got a good airing at a regional leaders' summit held in Thailand on October 25th.

The Economist

"We wanted to contribute to our country," said Mr. Sibanda, who lives with his parents and wonders now whether he was foolish to dream such lofty dreams.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lofty dream", ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. Given its somewhat formal nature, it's best suited for contexts that are not overly casual.

Common error

Avoid using "lofty dream" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound pretentious or out of place. Opt for simpler phrases like "big goal" or "ambitious plan" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lofty dream" functions as a noun phrase, where 'lofty' modifies the noun 'dream'. It's used to describe a goal or aspiration that is ambitious and idealistic, often implying that it may be difficult to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Huffington Post

25%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lofty dream" is a phrase used to describe an ambitious and idealistic aspiration. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in English. While the phrase is not overly common, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to use "lofty dream" in neutral to formal contexts and avoid overuse in casual settings to prevent it from sounding pretentious. Alternatives such as "grand ambition" or "noble aspiration" can be considered based on the specific tone and nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand ambition

Replaces 'dream' with 'ambition' and 'lofty' with 'grand', focusing on scale and aspiration.

noble aspiration

Substitutes 'dream' with 'aspiration' and 'lofty' with 'noble', emphasizing morality and purpose.

ambitious goal

Replaces 'dream' with 'goal' and maintains the sense of high aspiration with 'ambitious'.

high-minded ideal

Emphasizes the intellectual and moral aspect of the dream, suggesting principled thinking.

exalted vision

Focuses on a forward-looking perspective, substituting 'dream' with 'vision' and 'lofty' with 'exalted'.

idealistic ambition

Highlights the pursuit of ideals, keeping 'ambition' and suggesting a drive towards perfection.

far-reaching goal

Suggests goals with broad implications or impact, replacing 'dream' with 'goal' and 'lofty' with 'far-reaching'.

towering ambition

Implies a strong, imposing goal, where 'towering' indicates scale, replacing 'lofty'.

sky-high aspiration

Uses a more figurative expression for height, adding an element of hope and limitlessness.

utopian vision

Focuses on an ideal but often unattainable state, changing 'lofty dream' to refer more specifically to social ideals.

FAQs

How can I use "lofty dream" in a sentence?

You can use "lofty dream" to describe an ambitious or idealistic goal. For example, "Her lofty dream of eradicating poverty inspired her to dedicate her life to social work."

What are some alternatives to "lofty dream"?

You can use alternatives like "grand ambition", "noble aspiration", or "ambitious goal", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lofty dream"?

The phrase "lofty dream" is best used in formal or semi-formal contexts when describing an ambitious, often idealistic goal. It's suitable for writing and speeches where you want to convey admiration or inspiration.

Is "lofty goal" the same as "lofty dream"?

While similar, "lofty goal" ("ambitious goal") might imply a more concrete objective, whereas "lofty dream" often carries a stronger sense of idealism and aspiration. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.