Hope vs. Dream: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a specific outcome, while a dream is a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in the mind during sleep or a cherished aspiration.
Key Differences
Hope is an optimistic state of mind based on the expectation of positive outcomes in life or events. Dreams, in contrast, are a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during sleep or an ambitious aspiration.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hope is an emotion experienced while awake, reflecting a desire or wish for something to happen. Dreams occur during sleep as a mental activity or can be daydreams, reflecting one's aspirations or fantasies.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hope serves as a motivational force that encourages persistence and effort toward goals. Dreams can inspire and motivate but may also be fantastical and not grounded in reality.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hope is linked to a person's aspirations, goals, and outlook on life, often based on reality. Dreams, while they can reflect desires, are often a blend of reality and imagination, occurring unconsciously.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hope is an internal feeling and can be expressed verbally or through actions. Dreams are manifested in the subconscious and are often remembered or interpreted upon awakening.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Associated Words
Desire, expectation, aspiration
Fantasy, aspiration, unconscious
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Hope and Dream Definitions
Hope
To want something to happen or be true.
I hope you find your lost dog soon.
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Nov 24, 2023
Dream
A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
She had a vivid dream about flying.
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Nov 24, 2023
Hope
Grounds for believing that something good may happen.
The new treatment offered a glimmer of hope for her condition.
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Nov 24, 2023
Dream
A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.
His dream is to travel the world.
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Nov 24, 2023
Hope
To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
They hope to buy a house next year.
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Nov 24, 2023
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Dream
An unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy.
Owning a castle is just a pipe dream.
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Nov 24, 2023
Hope
To wish for a particular event that one considers possible
We are hoping for more financial support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
To desire and consider possible
I hope that you will join us for dinner. We hope to buy a house in the spring.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
The longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence
He took singing lessons in the hope of performing in the musical.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration
A dream of owning their own business.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
An instance of such longing or desire
Her hopes of becoming a doctor have not changed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
A wild fancy or unrealistic hope
He knew that playing for a professional team was only a dream.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
A source of or reason for such longing or desire
Good pitching is the team's only hope for victory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
(Informal) One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellent, or beautiful
Her boyfriend is a dream.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
Often Hope(Christianity) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.
I hope everyone enjoyed the meal.
I am still hoping that all will turn out well.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To regard something as feasible or practical
I wouldn't dream of skiing on icy slopes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
(intransitive) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; usually followed by in.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To experience a dream of while asleep
Did it storm last night, or did I dream it?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To conceive as possible; imagine
We never dreamed it would snow so much.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
The feeling of trust, confidence, belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.
I still have some hope that I can get to work on time.
After losing my job, there's no hope of being able to afford my world cruise.
There is still hope that we can find our missing cat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To have as an aspiration or hope
She dreams that she will become a pilot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
(countable) A person or thing that is a source of hope.
We still have one hope left: my roommate might see the note I left on the table.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
Imaginary events seen in the mind while sleeping.
Have a dream
Scary dream
Vivid dream
Erotic dream
Feel like a dream
Be in a dream
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
(figurative) A hope or wish.
Have a dream
Fulfil a dream
Harbour a dream
Realize a dream
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
A hollow; a valley, especially the upper end of a narrow mountain valley when it is nearly encircled by smooth, green slopes; a combe.
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Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy.
A dream of bliss
The dream of his youth
Live in a dream
Wake up from a dream
Impossible dream
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
(transitive) To envision as an imaginary experience (usually when asleep).
I dreamed I was a superhero and flew through a fireworks show.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.
The hypocrite's hope shall perish.
He wished, but not with hope.
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
(intransitive) To consider the possibility (of).
I wouldn't dream of snubbing you in public.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.
The Lord will be the hope of his people.
A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
That which is hoped for; an object of hope.
Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
The thoughts, or series of thoughts, or imaginary transactions, which occupy the mind during sleep; a sleeping vision.
Dreams are but interludes which fancy makes.
I had a dream which was not all a dream.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; - usually followed by for.
But I will hope continually.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy; a vagary; a revery; - in this sense, applied to an imaginary or anticipated state of happiness; as, a dream of bliss; the dream of his youth.
There sober thought pursued the amusing theme,Till Fancy colored it and formed a dream.
It is not them a mere dream, but a very real aim which they propose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; - usually followed by in.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To have ideas or images in the mind while in the state of sleep; to experience sleeping visions; - often with of; as, to dream of a battle, or of an absent friend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.
We hope no other from your majesty.
[Charity] hopeth all things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To let the mind run on in idle revery or vagary; to anticipate vaguely as a coming and happy reality; to have a visionary notion or idea; to imagine.
Here may we sit and dreamOver the heavenly theme
They dream on in a constant course of reading, but not digesting
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To have a dream of; to see, or have a vision of, in sleep, or in idle fancy; - often followed by an objective clause.
Your old men shall dream dreams
At length in sleep their bodies they compose,And dreamt the future fight
And still they dream that they shall still succeed
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
A specific instance of feeling hopeful;
It revived their hope of winning the pennant
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
A series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep;
I had a dream about you last night
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled;
In spite of his troubles he never gave up hope
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Hope
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
Imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake;
He lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered;
He was their best hope for a victory
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Dream
A fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe);
I have this pipe dream about being emperor of the universe
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903)
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Dream
A state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality;
He went about his work as if in a dream
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes;
I am still hoping that all will turn out well
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
Experience while sleeping;
She claims to never dream
He dreamt a strange scene
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Oct 19, 2023
Hope
Intend with some possibility of fulfilment;
I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening
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Oct 19, 2023
Dream
To contemplate the possibility of doing something or that something might be the case.
I never dreamed that I would win first place.
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Nov 24, 2023
Hope
A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
She clung to the hope of one day becoming a doctor.
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Nov 24, 2023
Dream
To experience dreams during sleep.
He dreams frequently about his childhood.
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Nov 24, 2023
Hope
A feeling of trust or confidence.
His hope in humanity was restored by the acts of kindness he witnessed.
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Nov 24, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can hope be unrealistic?
While hope is generally realistic, it can sometimes border on wishful thinking.
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Nov 30, 2023
Do dreams have meanings?
Some believe dreams can have meanings, though interpretations vary.
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Nov 30, 2023
What's the purpose of dreams?
Theories range from processing emotions to random brain activity.
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Nov 30, 2023
What defines a dream?
A sequence of thoughts and images during sleep or an aspiration.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are dreams always fantastical?
Not always; some dreams can be realistic or based on aspirations.
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How does hope affect mental health?
It generally has a positive impact, fostering optimism and resilience.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can dreams be controlled?
In lucid dreaming, people can exert some control over their dreams.
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Nov 30, 2023
Do animals dream?
Studies suggest many animals experience REM sleep and likely dream.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is the essence of hope?
An optimistic expectation or desire for a specific outcome.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is hope always positive?
Mostly, although misplaced hope can lead to disappointment.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can hope be lost?
Yes, in challenging situations, but it can also be rekindled.
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Are all dreams vivid?
Dream vividness varies; some can be very clear, others vague.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can dreams inspire real-life actions?
Yes, dreams can inspire aspirations and motivate real-life decisions.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can hope be harmful?
Unrealistic hope can lead to disappointment, but it's generally beneficial.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is a daydream?
A dreamlike musing while awake, often about pleasant scenarios.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is hope an emotion or a state of mind?
It's considered both an emotional and cognitive state.
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Nov 30, 2023
What role does hope play in goal setting?
It motivates and directs goal-oriented behavior.
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Nov 30, 2023
How does one maintain hope?
Through positive thinking, goals, and support from others.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.