dream up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To have an imaginative, unusual or foolish idea, to invent something unreal.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It's as if he were giving a performance of some character he's dreamed up, and his pale eyes wander in search of effect even in his apparently wildest moments.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “dream up” mean?
To have an imaginative, unusual or foolish idea, to invent something unreal.
Is “dream up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.