Reality vs. Dreams — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 13, 2023
Reality is the actual state of things as they exist, while dreams are subconscious experiences, often fictional, that occur during sleep.
Difference Between Reality and Dreams
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Reality pertains to everything that exists and happens in the real world; it's tangible, observable, and can be proven. We interact with reality daily, making decisions based on our perceptions and knowledge. Conversely, dreams are sequences of thoughts, images, emotions, and sensations that happen in our minds, typically during the REM stage of sleep. Unlike reality, dreams often aren't bound by the laws of physics or logic.
While reality is often consistent and shared amongst individuals — meaning multiple people can observe and agree upon it — dreams are personal, existing only in the mind of the dreamer. In reality, gravity pulls objects down, time moves linearly, and events have causality. In dreams, one might fly, see time distorted, or witness random events with no clear cause or reason.
Another distinguishing feature is control. Generally, individuals have limited control over their reality because it's influenced by external factors. However, in dreams, especially lucid ones, the dreamer can exert control and change outcomes or scenarios. The environments, characters, and narratives in dreams can be as fantastical or mundane as the mind allows.
Furthermore, our reactions differ in reality and dreams. In reality, actions have consequences which might affect our lives or those of others. In dreams, no matter how vivid or intense, they end once we awaken, leaving no tangible impact on the real world.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Tangible, observable, proven
Subconscious, imagined, often fictional
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Consistency
Shared and agreed upon by many
Personal to the dreamer
Boundaries
Governed by laws of physics and logic
Not bound by reality's laws or logic
Control
Limited by external factors
Can be controlled in lucid dreaming
Consequences
Actions have real-world consequences
No tangible impact once awake
Compare with Definitions
Reality
What is real and not imagined.
Virtual reality mimics reality, but there are noticeable differences.
Dreams
Subconscious experiences during sleep.
Last night, I had dreams of flying.
Reality
The state of things as they actually exist.
We must face the reality of our actions and their consequences.
Dreams
Visions occurring during REM sleep.
Dreams can sometimes be remembered vividly upon waking.
Reality
The actual state of affairs.
The movie portrayed a twisted version of reality.
Dreams
Hopes or aspirations.
Achieving this goal has always been one of my dreams.
Reality
That which is observable and provable.
Scientific experiments aim to understand reality.
Dreams
Imagined events or sequences.
My dreams often take place in fantastical worlds.
Reality
The quality or state of being actual or true.
Dreams
A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.
Reality
One, such as a person, an entity, or an event, that is actual
"the weight of history and political realities" (Benno C. Schmidt, Jr.).
Dreams
A daydream; a reverie.
Reality
The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.
Dreams
A state of abstraction; a trance
Wandering around in a dream.
Reality
That which exists objectively and in fact
Your observations do not seem to be about reality.
Dreams
A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration
A dream of owning their own business.
Reality
Relating to or being a genre of television or film in which a storyline is created by editing footage of people interacting or competing with one another in unscripted, unrehearsed situations.
Dreams
A wild fancy or unrealistic hope
He knew that playing for a professional team was only a dream.
Reality
The state of being actual or real; realness.
The reality of the crash scene on TV dawned upon him only when he saw the victim was no actor but his friend.
Dreams
(Informal) One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellent, or beautiful
Her boyfriend is a dream.
Reality
The real world.
Dreams
To experience a dream in sleep
Dreamed of meeting an old friend.
Reality
A real entity, event, or other fact.
The ultimate reality of life is that it ends in death.
Dreams
To daydream
Sat there dreaming during class.
Reality
The entirety of all that is real.
Dreams
To have a deep aspiration or hope
Dreaming of a world at peace.
Reality
An individual observer's own subjective perception of that which is real.
Dreams
To regard something as feasible or practical
I wouldn't dream of skiing on icy slopes.
Reality
(obsolete) loyalty; devotion.
Dreams
To experience a dream of while asleep
Did it storm last night, or did I dream it?.
Reality
; real estate.
Dreams
To conceive as possible; imagine
We never dreamed it would snow so much.
Reality
The state or quality of being real; actual being or existence of anything, in distinction from mere appearance; fact.
A man fancies that he understands a critic, when in reality he does not comprehend his meaning.
Dreams
To have as an aspiration or hope
She dreams that she will become a pilot.
Reality
That which is real; an actual existence; that which is not imagination, fiction, or pretense; that which has objective existence, and is not merely an idea.
And to realities yield all her shows.
My neck may be an idea to you, but it is a reality to me.
Dreams
To pass (time) idly or in reverie.
Reality
Loyalty; devotion.
To express our reality to the emperor.
Dreams
Plural of dream
Reality
See 2d Realty, 2.
Dreams
Infl of dream
Reality
All of your experiences that determine how things appear to you;
His world was shattered
We live in different worlds
For them demons were as much a part of reality as trees were
Dreams
Thoughts not bound by reality's rules.
In my dreams, I converse with historical figures.
Reality
The state of being actual or real;
The reality of his situation slowly dawned on him
Reality
The state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be;
Businessmen have to face harsh realities
Reality
The quality possessed by something that is real
Reality
A realm unaffected by personal beliefs or desires.
In reality, wishing doesn't make something true.
Common Curiosities
What are dreams?
Dreams are sequences of thoughts, images, and emotions experienced during sleep.
Is everyone's reality the same?
While there's a shared reality, personal perceptions can differ based on experiences and beliefs.
Why do we have dreams?
The exact reason is unknown, but they may play roles in processing emotions, learning, and memory.
Can you control reality?
We can influence our reality to an extent, but many external factors are beyond individual control.
What is reality?
Reality is the state of things as they exist and are experienced in the real world.
What are lucid dreams?
Lucid dreams are dreams in which the dreamer is aware they are dreaming and can exert control.
Can dreams alter reality?
While dreams can't directly change reality, they can influence thoughts, emotions, and actions in reality.
Can dreams predict the future?
There's no scientific evidence that dreams can foresee future events in reality.
How can one differentiate reality from a dream?
Reality is consistent and tangible, while dreams often have illogical or fantastical elements.
How do virtual reality and actual reality differ?
Virtual reality mimics real-world experiences but is computer-generated and can be manipulated.
Is reality subjective?
While there's an objective reality, individual perceptions can make it appear subjective.
Are dreams always fictional?
Not always; dreams can be based on past events or memories, but often with alterations.
Can we alter our reality?
To some degree, through actions, choices, and perceptions, but not entirely.
Do animals have dreams?
Yes, many animals show REM sleep patterns, suggesting they dream.
Why do some dreams feel like reality?
The brain's vivid imaginations and emotional responses can make dreams feel incredibly real.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
