A nightmare, also known as a bad dream, [1] is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong emotional response from the mind, typically fear but also despair, anxiety, disgust or sadness. …

It was not until the 16th century that the word nightmare came to mean "a frightening dream." This meaning probably came from the belief that such dreams were caused by evil spirits.

NIGHTMARE definition: 1. a very upsetting or frightening dream: 2. an extremely unpleasant event or experience or…. Learn more.

NIGHTMARE definition: a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc. See examples of nightmare used in a sentence.

If you refer to a situation as a nightmare, you mean that it is very frightening and unpleasant. The years in prison were a nightmare.

nightmare, disturbing dream that provokes a strong negative emotional reaction. Nightmares differ from other dreams in that they typically cause the sleeper to awaken because of emotional …

May 2, 2024 · It’s normal to occasionally have a nightmare or bad dream, but for some people, they recur frequently, disrupting sleep and negatively impacting their waking life as well.

Definition of nightmare noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jun 5, 2021 · A nightmare is a disturbing dream associated with negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear that awakens you. Nightmares are common in children but can happen at any age.

night•mare (ˈnaɪtˌmɛər) n. 1. a terrifying dream producing feelings of extreme fear and anxiety. 2. a condition, thought, or experience suggestive of a nightmare. 3. (formerly) a monster or evil …