reverie

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reverie" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to describe a state of being lost in thought, typically a pleasant daydream. For example: I spent the afternoon in a peaceful reverie, imagining what life might have been like in another era.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amid the festivities, he often homes in on a single figure: a young girl lost in reverie as she stands on a misty road; a boy in bright costume standing in a snowfall.

The Guardian - Arts

89d768d1-5703-4523-acd4-dd18366317d8 The dentist's assistant had me gripped in a headlock when I fell into a reverie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Beard's reverie is interrupted when another man starts eating the crisps, setting up an intense but never quite realised confrontation.

The Guardian - Books

The exclusivists in the euro zone should wake up from their reverie.

The Economist

Jawaharlal Nehru once wrote that his country "was like some ancient palimpsest on which layer upon layer of thought and reverie had been inscribed, and yet no succeeding layer had completely hidden or erased what had been written previously".

The Economist

It is not for nothing that Proust's reverie in "Remembrance of Things Past" was inspired by a madeleine cake, and why some dishes are known as "comfort foods".

The Economist

A sense of reverie had always pervaded his painting, but his late art, such as the altarpiece for the church of San Zaccaria (1505), possessed what Mr Brown calls a "restraint and refinement" unmatched by any of his pupils.

The Economist

This year, their reverie in the snow-covered Teton mountains was clouded by the ongoing troubles of South-East Asia. South-East Asia

The Economist

To Nehru India was "an ancient palimpsest on which layer upon layer of thought and reverie had been inscribed, and yet no succeeding layer had completely hidden what had been written previously".Almost at once, though, the sordid and the ordinary claimed their places.

The Economist

The vision of a three-hour day was a reverie.

The Economist

Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie.The Washington Ballet invited viewers to enter just such a reverie during a production of "Sleepy Hollow" that had its world premiere and a run of only seven performances at the Kennedy Centre last week.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reverie" to describe a state of pleasant, dreamy thinking, often inspired by art, music, or nature. This term suggests a gentle and imaginative detachment from reality.

Common error

Avoid using "reverie" when you mean focused meditation or active problem-solving. "Reverie" implies a passive, drifting state of mind, not an intentional mental exercise.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reverie" is as a noun, denoting a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream. As illustrated by Ludwig AI, the word "reverie" often appears in descriptive contexts, setting a mood or scene.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

39%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reverie" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that describes a state of dreamy and pleasant thought. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in writing, and most of the examples from Ludwig confirm this. Its usage spans across different contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While it is generally considered a neutral term, it can carry a slightly elevated tone depending on the context. When using "reverie", be sure to convey a sense of dreamy contemplation and imaginative thought, avoiding its confusion with active engagement or focused meditation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daydream

A more common and less formal term for a state of being lost in pleasant thought.

daydreaming

The act of having pleasant, dream-like thoughts while awake.

state of musing

Implies a thoughtful and contemplative state, often quiet and reflective.

abstracted thought

Focuses on the separation from immediate surroundings due to deep thought.

contemplative mood

Highlights the reflective and meditative quality of the mental state.

imaginative contemplation

Emphasizes the creative and visionary aspect of the thought process.

train of thought

Describes a sequence of connected thoughts, often meandering and unfocused.

brown study

An archaic term for a state of serious and absorbed thought, often melancholic.

castle in the air

Implies a fanciful, unrealistic plan or hope; often used metaphorically.

oneirism

A more technical or clinical term for a dreamlike state, often used in psychology.

FAQs

How can I use "reverie" in a sentence?

You can use "reverie" to describe a state of dreamy and pleasant thought. For example, "The music transported her into a peaceful reverie" or "He was snapped out of his reverie by the ringing phone."

What's the difference between "reverie" and "daydream"?

While both terms refer to being lost in thought, "reverie" often suggests a deeper, more prolonged, and sometimes more profound state of dreamy contemplation than a "daydream".

Are there any negative connotations to the word "reverie"?

Generally, "reverie" has positive or neutral connotations, suggesting peaceful contemplation. However, excessive "reverie" might be seen as unproductive or detached from reality.

What are some synonyms for "reverie"?

Synonyms for "reverie" include "daydreaming", "musing", "contemplation", and "abstraction", each with slightly different nuances.