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. …

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 …

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

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

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.

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

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.

Apr 30, 2025 · Nightmares are vividly realistic, disturbing dreams that rattle you awake from a deep sleep. They often set your heart pounding from fear. Nightmares tend to occur most …

What are nightmares and what do they mean? Nightmares are vividly realistic, disturbing dreams that can disturb sleep that can create fear, palpitations, and rapid breathing. Just like most …