wet dream: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low in formal contexts; medium in informal/slang contexts.Colloquial, informal, often slang. Can be considered vulgar or explicit in professional/academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “wet dream” mean?
An erotic dream that causes involuntary male ejaculation during sleep.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An erotic dream that causes involuntary male ejaculation during sleep.
An event or situation that is intensely desired or idealized; an unrealistic fantasy or wish fulfillment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the term identically.
Connotations
Equally informal/vulgar in both dialects. The metaphorical meaning is equally widespread.
Frequency
Similar frequency in informal speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “wet dream” in a Sentence
[For X], Y is a wet dream.X is a wet dream [for Y].That scenario sounds like a wet dream [for Z].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional. Avoid entirely.
Academic
Inappropriate except in specific clinical or psychological discussions of sleep phenomena.
Everyday
Common in informal, often male-dominated, conversational contexts among friends. Used metaphorically more often than literally.
Technical
Used literally in medical/psychological texts ('nocturnal emission' is the formal term).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “wet dream”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “wet dream”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wet dream”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Assuming it's acceptable in mixed or polite company.
- Using the literal meaning to refer to a woman's experience (it is specifically male physiology).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered informal, vulgar, and explicit. It should not be used in polite, professional, or mixed company where it could cause offence.
The term specifically refers to male nocturnal ejaculation. While women can have erotic dreams, the term 'wet dream' is not typically applied to them. The formal term for the male experience is 'nocturnal emission'.
In informal English, the metaphorical use ('an ideal scenario') is now extremely common, often more so than the literal meaning, especially in certain hobbies or interest groups (e.g., 'a wet dream for gamers').
Yes. Depending on context, you can use 'ideal scenario', 'fantasy', 'pipe dream', 'utopia', or 'dream come true'.
An erotic dream that causes involuntary male ejaculation during sleep.
Wet dream: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwet ˈdriːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌwet ˈdriːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's the [car enthusiast's/gamer's/collector's] wet dream.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WET DREAM: Wishes Extremely Thought-up; Dreams Rarely Encountered As Material.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSE DESIRE IS AN EROTIC DREAM.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'wet dream' be MOST appropriate?