Pronunciation

/paɪp driːm/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A pipe dream is an unrealistic or unattainable hope or fantasy, often about achieving success or happiness.

Examples

1. “His dream of becoming a billionaire without working was just a pipe dream.”

2. “Many people dismiss the idea of world peace as a mere pipe dream.”

Additional Information

The term “pipe dream” originated from the idea of smoking opium in a pipe, which could induce vivid and unrealistic dreams or hallucinations.