A person who experiences dreams during sleep, or more commonly, someone who indulges in fantasies or has visionary ideas. Often refers to an idealistic person who imagines better possibilities.
From Old English dream meaning 'joy, mirth, music' combined with the agent suffix -er. Interestingly, the Old English dream didn't mean 'sleep visions' - that sense came from Old Norse draumr, and the meanings merged over centuries.
The word 'dreamer' gained powerful political significance with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), referring to young immigrants brought to America as children who dream of citizenship. This usage transforms the word from something potentially dismissive into a term of aspiration and resilience, showing how political movements can reshape language.
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