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. …

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.

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, 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 distress. …

Apr 26, 2022 · A nightmare, if one occurs at all, usually takes place in the later hours of REM, or rapid eye movement, sleep. A dreamer often awakens with a solid general recollection of the imagery and...

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.

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

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 spirit …

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.