revery
noun
  1. an abstracted state of absorption
  2. absentminded dreaming while awake
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. More at Wordnik
Semantic shift. That is all there is to it. And to be honest it is not even that big of one, it is clearly visible the logic behind the shift in meaning. Answer from Meabhrach on reddit.com
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › reverie
REVERIE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
2 weeks ago - The meaning of REVERIE is daydream. How to use reverie in a sentence.
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english › reverie
REVERIE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
1 month ago - A reverie is a state of imagining or thinking about pleasant things, as if you are dreaming.
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Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › reverie
REVERIE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
2 weeks ago - REVERIE definition: a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing. See examples of reverie used in a sentence.
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WordReference
wordreference.com › english dictionary › revery
revery - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
revery - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
Find elsewhere
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › reverie
REVERIE Synonyms: 27 Similar Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
November 4, 2025 - as in trance the state of being lost in thought I was lost in reverie and didn't realize my flight was boarding until it was almost too late
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Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › dictionary › reverie
Reverie - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
There's nothing wrong with reverie, but if you follow its path into English, you'll see how closely it is connected to madness. The noun is from French rêverie, from a Middle French word meaning "wild speech, delirium," from rever "to roam, ...
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english › revery
REVERY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
1 month ago - REVERY definition: reverie | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/etymology › reverie - daydream or crazy?
r/etymology on Reddit: Reverie - daydream or crazy?
May 28, 2023 -

I'm looking into the origins of one of my favorite words - reverie. It's defined as "a state of being lost in one's thoughts; a daydream." The more I look into it, it seems like it came from almost an opposite meaning: wild/delirious/madness:

mid-14c., reuerye, "wild conduct, frolic," from Old French reverie, resverie "revelry, rejoicing, wantonness, raving, delirium" (Modern French rêverie), from resver "to dream, wander, rave" (12c., Modern French rêver), a word of uncertain origin (also the source of rave).

Any ideas on how we got from these words to the idea of a peaceful daydream?

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Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org › wiki › reverie
reverie - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
He fell into a reverie, a most dangerous state of mind for a chauffeur, since a fall into reverie on the part of a driver may mean a fall into a ravine on the part of the machine.
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Oxford English Dictionary
oed.com › dictionary › reverie_n
reverie, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. ... Etymons: French reverie.
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YouTube
youtube.com › the english language laboratory
REVERIE. The simplest definition YOU need!! #tellsvidetionary™ - YouTube
Reverie. Word of The Day 29 January 2025. Start learning English now! Learn English quickly & easily with Easy English 1’s D.A.I.S.Y Method https://bit.ly/3q...
Published   January 28, 2025
Views   51
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Yaktack
yaktack.com › words › revery
revery
An expansive vocabulary can simplify communication, not make it more complicated as most people might infer. It allows people to say what they mean with greater precision. Yak Tack helps people expand their vocabulary. How Yak Tack Works Type a word you'd like to remember.
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Ludwig
ludwig.guru › s › revery
revery | Meaning, Grammar Guide & Usage Examples | Ludwig.guru
Avoid using "revery" interchangeably with stronger terms like 'hallucination' or 'delusion.' "Revery" implies a gentle, pleasant state of mind, whereas the others suggest a more disturbed or altered state of consciousness.
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Etymonline
etymonline.com › word › reverie
Reverie - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
mid-14c., reuerye, "wild conduct, ... French rêver), a word of uncertain origin (also the source of rave). The meaning "a daydream" ......
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Reverso
dictionary.reverso.net › english-definition › revery
REVERY - Definition & Meaning - Reverso English Dictionary
revery definition: state of being deeply absorbed in thoughts or daydreams. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, related words.
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Mnemonic Dictionary
mnemonicdictionary.com › word › revery
revery meaning - definition of revery by Mnemonic Dictionary
Synonyms : air castle , castle in spain , castle in the air , daydream , daydreaming , oneirism , reverie
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TheFreeDictionary.com
thefreedictionary.com › revery
Revery - definition of revery by The Free Dictionary
Define revery. revery synonyms, revery pronunciation, revery translation, English dictionary definition of revery. n. 1. a state of meditation or fanciful musing: lost in reverie.