nightmare

noun

night·mare ˈnīt-ˌmer How to pronounce nightmare (audio)

: an evil spirit formerly thought to oppress people during sleep

: a frightening dream that usually awakens the sleeper

: something (such as an experience, situation, or object) having the monstrous character of a nightmare or producing a feeling of anxiety or terror

nightmare adjective

nightmarish

ˈnīt-ˌmer-ish How to pronounce nightmare (audio)

adjective

nightmarishly adverb

Did you know?

Looking at nightmare, you might guess that it is a compound formed from night and mare. If so, your guess is correct. But while the night in nightmare makes sense, the mare part is less obvious. Most English speakers know mare as a word for a female horse or similar equine animal, but the mare of nightmare is a different word, an obsolete one referring to an evil spirit that was once thought to produce feelings of suffocation in people while they slept. By the 14th century the mare was also known as nightmare, and by the late 16th century nightmare was also being applied to the feelings of distress caused by the spirit, and then to frightening or unpleasant dreams.

Example Sentences

Mommy, I had a really scary nightmare. The party was a complete nightmare.

Recent Examples on the Web Once inside, people will be terrified by the artwork with haunting faces that change any time anyone walks by. Drape and hang the cloth all over a room or outdoors to transform a space into a nightmare.

Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2022 Westbrook experienced that kind of failure last season when his homecoming dream transformed into a nightmare.

Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 One lesson is to prevent this nightmare from spreading elsewhere—such as Taiwan.

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 But the city's ongoing issues with contaminated water — that has been shown to contain E. coli bacteria and lead — has turned the process into a nightmare for the couple.

Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 And James Rawlings, a Physics lecturer with Nottingham Trent University, says this would turn any relaxing shower into a nightmare.

Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 23 Aug. 2022 This time, a group of childhood friends reunite in Derry, Maine and come face to face with this nightmare known as Pennywise the Clown.

Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 19 Aug. 2022 New federal healthcare price transparency rules empower patients like Jason to avoid this common overbilling nightmare.

Josh Archambault, Forbes, 21 June 2022 No telling what's coming next, but more changes have to happen unless the Lakers want to live this nightmare again.

Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	nightmare
释义	nightmare noun night·mare ˈnīt-ˌmer 1 : an evil spirit formerly thought to oppress people during sleep 2 : a frightening dream that usually awakens the sleeper 3 : something (such as an experience, situation, or object) having the monstrous character of a nightmare or producing a feeling of anxiety or terror nightmare adjective nightmarish ˈnīt-ˌmer-ish adjective nightmarishly adverb Did you know? Looking at nightmare, you might guess that it is a compound formed from night and mare. If so, your guess is correct. But while the night in nightmare makes sense, the mare part is less obvious. Most English speakers know mare as a word for a female horse or similar equine animal, but the mare of nightmare is a different word, an obsolete one referring to an evil spirit that was once thought to produce feelings of suffocation in people while they slept. By the 14th century the mare was also known as nightmare, and by the late 16th century nightmare was also being applied to the feelings of distress caused by the spirit, and then to frightening or unpleasant dreams. Synonyms agony Gehenna hell horror misery murder torment torture See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Mommy, I had a really scary nightmare. The party was a complete nightmare. Recent Examples on the Web Once inside, people will be terrified by the artwork with haunting faces that change any time anyone walks by. Drape and hang the cloth all over a room or outdoors to transform a space into a nightmare. Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2022 Westbrook experienced that kind of failure last season when his homecoming dream transformed into a nightmare. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 One lesson is to prevent this nightmare from spreading elsewhere—such as Taiwan. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 But the city's ongoing issues with contaminated water — that has been shown to contain E. coli bacteria and lead — has turned the process into a nightmare for the couple. Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 And James Rawlings, a Physics lecturer with Nottingham Trent University, says this would turn any relaxing shower into a nightmare. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 23 Aug. 2022 This time, a group of childhood friends reunite in Derry, Maine and come face to face with this nightmare known as Pennywise the Clown. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 19 Aug. 2022 New federal healthcare price transparency rules empower patients like Jason to avoid this common overbilling nightmare. Josh Archambault, Forbes, 21 June 2022 No telling what's coming next, but more changes have to happen unless the Lakers want to live this nightmare again. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English nyghte mare, from nyghte night entry 1 + mare mare entry 3 First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing nightmare worst nightmare worst nightmare Kids Definition nightmare noun night·mare ˈnīt-ˌmer 1 : a frightening dream 2 : a horrible experience Medical Definition nightmare noun night·mare ˈnīt-ˌma(ə)r, -ˌme(ə)r : a frightening or distressing dream that usually awakens the sleeper nightmare 1 of 2 noun as in agony a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness that 20-page exam was a nightmare Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance agony misery horror torture torment hell ordeal curse murder tragedy misfortune calamity cross tribulation Gehenna trial calvary thorn affliction drag bummer downer gall Antonyms & Near Antonyms heaven pleasure joy paradise fun delight entertainment recreation diversion riot picnic lark See More nightmare 2 of 2 adjective as in horrific extremely disturbing or repellent survivors of a nuclear holocaust would surely face a nightmare existence Synonyms & Similar Words horrific gruesome horrible shocking terrible frightening nightmarish terrifying horrifying dreadful awful terrific scary hideous horrid appalling sickening ghastly horrendous macabre grisly monstrous frightful atrocious disgusting lurid fearful intimidating alarming ugly dire grewsome formidable grotesque loathsome revolting nauseating obscene fearsome unspeakable evil abhorrent abominable repulsive direful forbidding deplorable offensive disagreeable gut-wrenching repugnant obnoxious heinous bloodcurdling odious hair-raising redoubtable vile heart-stopping distasteful noxious noisome unsightly foul Antonyms & Near Antonyms pleasant delightful satisfying enjoyable pleasurable appealing delicious attractive welcome agreeable enticing pleasing delectable comforting inviting soothing cheering See More
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nightmare

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing nightmare

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun

adjective