Dreamed vs. Dreamt: Which Is Correct?

Both dreamed and dreamt are correct past tense and past participle forms of the verb dream.

They mean the same thing — to experience a dream or imagine something — but are used differently in American and British English.

Here’s the simple rule:

• Dreamed → more common in American English.
• Dreamt → more common in British English and in literary writing.

1. Dreamed: The Regular Form

Meaning

“Dreamed” is the regular past tense of dream.
It’s widely used in everyday English, especially in the United States.

Examples (10 total)

1. I dreamed about flying last night.
2. She dreamed of becoming a doctor.
3. They dreamed of owning a big house.
4. He dreamed he was lost in the woods.
5. I dreamed we were old friends.
6. We dreamed about traveling the world.
7. She dreamed she could speak five languages.
8. He dreamed of peace and happiness.
9. I dreamed that everything was okay again.
10. They dreamed of a better future.

🧠 Tip:
If you’re writing for an American audience or want a neutral tone, use dreamed.

2. Dreamt: The Irregular Form

Meaning

“Dreamt” is the irregular version of dreamed and is more common in British English.
It often sounds poetic, emotional, or old-fashioned, so writers sometimes choose it for style.

Examples (10 total)

1. I dreamt of you last night.
2. She dreamt she was walking through a forest.
3. They dreamt of freedom.
4. He dreamt that he could fly.
5. I dreamt we met again after many years.
6. She dreamt of her childhood home.
7. We dreamt of a peaceful world.
8. He dreamt that the exam was tomorrow.
9. I dreamt about my favorite teacher.
10. They dreamt they were rich and famous.

🧠 Tip:
If you’re writing in British English, or want your sentence to sound poetic or literary, choose dreamt.

3. Quick Comparison Table

4. How to Remember

👉 Dreamed → regular and simple (American).
👉 Dreamt → artistic and British.

💡 Memory Trick:

“Dreamt” ends with -t, just like “Brit.”
So use dreamt for British English.

5. Common Mistakes

❌ I dreamt to be a singer.
✅ I dreamed of being a singer.

❌ She dreamt for success.
✅ She dreamed of success.

6. Why Both Exist

Historically, older English verbs used -t endings (like learnt, burnt, spilt).
Over time, Americans simplified many to -ed (like learned, burned, spilled).
That’s why both forms survive today — they’re just regional preferences.

Even grammar tools may not flag either as wrong, but Humanizey can automatically match your spelling style (American or British) to keep your writing consistent.

FAQs

1. Is “dreamt” wrong in American English?

No — it’s not wrong, just less common.

2. Can I use “dreamt” in formal writing?

Yes, but dreamed is safer for formal or academic contexts.

3. Are “dreamed” and “dreamt” pronounced the same?

Almost — dreamed ends with a “d” sound, while dreamt rhymes with “tempt.”

4. Which one do dictionaries list first?

Most dictionaries list dreamed first because it’s the regular form.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Dreamed” or “Dreamt”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. Last night, I ___ about my old school.
2. She ___ of becoming a famous writer.
3. He ___ he was swimming with dolphins.
4. They ___ of a better future for their children.
5. I ___ that I was late for work.
6. The poet ___ of endless skies.
7. We ___ about our summer vacation.
8. She ___ of a world without war.
9. He ___ about meeting his idol.
10. I ___ that everything turned out fine.

Answers

(Both “dreamed” and “dreamt” are correct in every sentence — your choice depends on style or region!)