Nightmare Definition
nītmâr
nightmares
noun
nightmares
A frightening dream, often accompanied by a sensation of oppression and helplessness.
Webster's New World
An evil spirit believed to haunt and suffocate sleeping people.
Webster's New World
Any experience like a nightmare in its terrifying or distressing aspects.
Webster's New World
A very bad or frightening dream.
I had a nightmare that I tried to run but could neither move nor breathe.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Nightmare
Noun
Singular:
nightmarePlural:
nightmaresOrigin of Nightmare
-
From Middle English nightemare, niȝtmare, equivalent to night +"Ž mare (“evil spirit believed to afflict a sleeping person"). Cognate with Scots nichtmare, nichtmeer (“nightmare"), Dutch nachtmerrie (“nightmare"), Middle Low German nachtmār (“nightmare"), German Nachtmahr (“nightmare").
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English a female demon that afflicts sleeping people night night night mare goblin (from Old English mer- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Related Articles
Nightmare Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to nightmare using the buttons below.