dream book
C1Informal, occasionally literary
Definition
Meaning
A book which lists common dreams and their traditional interpretations, used to find supposed meanings or omens.
Any guidebook or reference work for interpreting dreams; by extension, a person or source considered an authority on interpreting complex or obscure situations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a specific genre of folk literature. The hyphenated form 'dream-book' is also standard. Not to be confused with a 'dream journal' (a personal diary of dreams).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference for the hyphenated form 'dream-book' in UK publishing, while 'dream book' (open compound) is more common in US usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of superstition, folklore, or pop psychology rather than scientific analysis.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally more common in US due to broader commercial market for self-help and esoteric publications.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] consulted a dream book about [dream topic].[Subject] found the meaning in a dream book.According to [definite article] dream book, [interpretation].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a walking dream book (knowledgeable about dream meanings).”
- “It's not in the dream book (an unprecedented or inexplicable situation).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Rare, used historically in studies of folklore, anthropology, or psychology of superstition.
Everyday
Used casually when discussing dreams and their possible meanings in a non-serious way.
Technical
Not applicable in scientific contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a spider. My dream book says it means money.
- She has a dream book.
- I had a strange dream, so I checked my dream book for an explanation.
- According to her dream-book, dreaming of water represents emotions.
- Modern psychologists dismiss dream books as mere superstition, lacking any empirical basis.
- The antique dream-book, bound in leather, offered fascinating insights into Victorian symbolism.
- While often derided as pseudoscience, the cultural history of the dream book offers a rich tapestry of anthropological symbolism across civilisations.
- Her interpretation was so precise that we joked she must have memorised a comprehensive dream book.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A BOOK where you look up your DREAMS, like a dictionary for the night.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A BOOK (The book contains decoded knowledge of the subconscious).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate directly as "книга мечты" (book of aspiration). The correct equivalent is "сонник".
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'aspirational journal' or 'bucket list'. Confusing it with 'dream journal'. Spelling as one word 'dreambook'.
- Incorrect: 'I wrote my goals in my dream book.' Correct: 'I looked up flying in my dream book.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'dream book' be most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'dream book' (or dream-book) is a published reference guide for interpreting dreams. A 'dream journal' is a personal diary where one records their own dreams.
Rarely, and only in a historical or critical context. Modern academic psychology does not use dream books as valid analytical tools, viewing them as cultural artefacts rather than scientific resources.
Yes. One might call someone a 'walking dream book' to mean they are very knowledgeable about interpreting complex or obscure signs, much like consulting a reference.
The most common error is confusing it with a book about life aspirations or goals (e.g., 'My bucket list is my dream book'). It specifically relates to the interpretation of sleeping dreams.