Definition

1. Noun:
   • A terrifying or deeply upsetting dream: A "nightmare" is a frightening dream that often causes strong feelings of fear, anxiety, or distress, sometimes waking the sleeper.
   • A situation resembling a terrifying dream: A "nightmare" can also describe a real-life experience, event, or situation that is intensely frightening, unpleasant, chaotic, or difficult to endure.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Dream):

  • I had a horrible nightmare about being chased last night.
  • Waking up from a nightmare can leave you feeling shaken.

• Noun (Situation):

  • The traffic jam was an absolute nightmare; we were stuck for hours.
  • Organizing the event without a proper team turned into a logistical nightmare.

Advanced Usage

• "A living nightmare": An extremely distressing real-life situation that feels as bad as a bad dream.

  • Losing his job and his home in the same week was a living nightmare.

• "To be a nightmare to do something": Used to describe a task that is very difficult, frustrating, or unpleasant.

  • This old software is a nightmare to install on a new computer.

Variants and Related Words

• Nightmarish (adj): Having the qualities of a nightmare; extremely frightening or unpleasant.
  • The accident scene was a nightmarish sight.

Synonyms

• Bad dream: A less intense synonym for the sleeping experience.
• Ordeal: A difficult or painful experience (for the situational meaning).
• Horror: Something that causes intense fear or shock.

Related Phrases

• To have a nightmare about (something/someone): To dream a bad dream concerning a specific subject.
  • She often has nightmares about her exams.

Related Idioms

• "A recipe for a nightmare": A combination of factors that is very likely to create a terrible situation.
  • Mixing those two rival groups at the party is a recipe for a nightmare.

Noun

1. a terrifying or deeply upsetting dream
2. a situation resembling a terrifying dream