Top 20 Slang For Nightmare – Meaning & Usage

Nightmares can be a spooky and unsettling experience, but did you know there’s a whole range of slang terms to describe them? Join us as we unravel the mysterious world of nightmare slang and uncover some of the most creative and chilling expressions used to describe these nocturnal terrors. Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or just curious about language, this list is sure to give you a shiver down your spine!

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1. Bad dream

A bad dream refers to a dream that is disturbing, frightening, or unsettling. It is often used to describe dreams that cause fear, anxiety, or discomfort.

For example, “I had a bad dream last night about falling off a cliff.”
Someone might say, “I woke up in a cold sweat after a series of bad dreams.”
Another person might share, “I often have bad dreams about being chased by something or someone.”

2. Night terror

A night terror is a type of sleep disorder characterized by intense fear, panic, or terror during sleep. Night terrors often involve screaming, thrashing, or other physical manifestations of fear.

For instance, “My child has night terrors and wakes up screaming in the middle of the night.”
Someone might say, “I experienced a night terror last night and couldn’t go back to sleep.”
Another person might share, “Night terrors can be really scary because you feel like you’re awake but trapped in a nightmare.”

3. Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where a person is temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It is often accompanied by a feeling of pressure on the chest and a sense of imminent danger.

For example, “I frequently experience sleep paralysis and it’s terrifying.”
Someone might say, “During sleep paralysis, I feel like there’s a presence in the room.”
Another person might share, “Sleep paralysis can be a result of disrupted sleep patterns or stress.”

4. Haunting

Haunting refers to a disturbing or unsettling experience during sleep, often associated with nightmares or night terrors. It implies that the dream or sleep experience has a lasting impact on the person, leaving them feeling unsettled or haunted.

For instance, “I had a haunting dream last night that stayed with me all day.”
Someone might say, “The haunting dreams I’ve been having are starting to affect my sleep.”
Another person might share, “The haunting images in my dreams make it hard to relax and fall asleep.”

5. Demon in the night

A demon in the night refers to a nightmare that involves demonic or supernatural elements. It suggests that the dream is particularly frightening and may involve encounters with evil or otherworldly beings.

For example, “I had a vivid dream last night with a demon in the night.”
Someone might say, “The demon in the night seemed so real, it was hard to distinguish it from reality.”
Another person might share, “Dreaming about a demon in the night can be a sign of underlying fears or anxieties.”

6. Ghastly nightmare

This refers to a particularly frightening and disturbing dream that leaves a person feeling scared or unsettled.

For example, “Last night, I had a ghastly nightmare about being chased by monsters.”
Someone might say, “I woke up in a cold sweat after experiencing a ghastly nightmare.”
Another person might share, “I can’t shake off the feeling of dread after that ghastly nightmare I had.”

7. Creepy dream

This term is used to describe a dream that evokes a sense of unease or creepiness.

For instance, “I had a creepy dream last night where I was being watched by shadowy figures.”
A person might say, “I woke up feeling unsettled after having a creepy dream.”
Another person might share, “I don’t want to go back to sleep after that creepy dream I had.”

8. Dread-filled night

This phrase refers to a night filled with intense fear or anxiety, often experienced through nightmares or unsettling dreams.

For example, “I had a dread-filled night where I kept waking up from nightmares.”
Someone might say, “I couldn’t sleep properly due to the dread-filled night I had.”
Another person might share, “I was relieved when morning came after that anxiety-ridden night.”

9. Horrific vision

This term describes a vivid and terrifying image or scene that appears in a dream, often causing fear or distress.

For instance, “In my horrific vision, I saw myself trapped in a haunted house.”
A person might say, “I can’t get the horrific vision out of my head.”
Another person might share, “I woke up screaming after experiencing a horrific vision in my dream.”

10. Chilling dream

This phrase is used to describe a dream that sends shivers down one’s spine or gives a sense of coldness and fear.

For example, “I had a chilling dream where I was being chased by a faceless figure.”
Someone might say, “I woke up feeling cold and unsettled after that chilling dream.”
Another person might share, “I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease after that spine-tingling dream I had.”

11. Eerie night

This phrase refers to a nightmarish dream that gives a sense of unease or fear. It often describes dreams with strange or supernatural elements.

For example, “Last night, I had an eerie night where I was being chased by a shadowy figure.”
Someone might say, “I woke up in a cold sweat after experiencing an eerie night filled with ghostly apparitions.”
Another person might share, “In my eerie night, I was trapped in a never-ending maze with no way out.”

12. Bone-chilling nightmare

This term describes a nightmare that is extremely frightening and causes a strong sense of fear or dread. It implies that the dream is so terrifying that it sends chills down one’s spine.

For instance, “I had a bone-chilling nightmare last night where I was being hunted by a serial killer.”
One might share, “The bone-chilling nightmare I had involved being trapped in a haunted house with no way to escape.”
Another person might say, “I woke up screaming after a bone-chilling nightmare that felt incredibly real.”

13. Hair-raising vision

This phrase refers to a nightmare that is so unsettling or disturbing that it causes one’s hair to stand on end. It describes dreams that evoke a strong emotional response, such as fear or horror.

For example, “I had a hair-raising vision last night where I was being chased by a swarm of spiders.”
Someone might share, “The hair-raising vision I had involved witnessing a gruesome murder.”
Another person might say, “I couldn’t sleep after having a hair-raising vision of a ghostly figure standing at the foot of my bed.”

14. Creepshow

This term is used to describe a nightmare that is both creepy and unsettling. It implies that the dream is filled with eerie or disturbing elements that evoke a sense of fear or unease.

For instance, “Last night, I had a creepshow where I was trapped in a haunted carnival.”
One might share, “The creepshow I experienced involved being pursued by a horde of zombies.”
Another person might say, “I woke up shaking after a creepshow that featured a demonic presence in my bedroom.”

15. Dreadful sleep

This phrase refers to a night of sleep filled with distressing or unpleasant dreams. It implies that the dreams experienced during the night were filled with fear, anxiety, or other negative emotions.

For example, “I had a dreadful sleep last night, plagued by nightmares of being chased.”
Someone might share, “The dreadful sleep I had was filled with dreams of falling from great heights.”
Another person might say, “I woke up exhausted after a dreadful sleep filled with nightmares of being trapped in a burning building.”

16. Dark vision

This term refers to a nightmare that is particularly frightening or unsettling. It implies a sense of darkness and foreboding in the dream.

For instance, someone might say, “Last night I had a dark vision that left me shaken for the rest of the day.”
In a discussion about dreams, a person might share, “I often have dark visions where I’m being chased by something sinister.”
A person describing a recurring nightmare might say, “My dark vision always involves being trapped in a haunted house.”

17. Horrific sleep

This slang term describes a nightmare that is extremely horrifying or disturbing. It emphasizes the intensity of the fear or unease experienced during the dream.

For example, someone might say, “I had a horrific sleep last night. I dreamt I was being chased by a serial killer.”
In a conversation about dreams, a person might share, “I often have these horrific sleeps where I’m being tortured.”
A person describing a particularly unsettling nightmare might say, “Last night’s horrific sleep felt so real, I woke up in a cold sweat.”

18. Frightening vision

This term refers to a nightmare that is highly frightening or alarming. It suggests a sense of fear or dread experienced during the dream.

For instance, someone might say, “I had a frightening vision last night. I dreamt I was being attacked by monsters.”
In a discussion about dreams, a person might share, “I often have these frightening visions where I’m falling from a great height.”
A person describing a vivid and scary nightmare might say, “Last night’s frightening vision felt so real, I woke up screaming.”

19. Spooky nightmare

This slang term describes a nightmare that is eerie or unsettling in nature. It implies a sense of spookiness or creepiness in the dream.

For example, someone might say, “I had a spooky nightmare last night. I dreamt I was wandering through a haunted house.”
In a conversation about dreams, a person might share, “I often have these spooky nightmares where I’m being chased by ghosts.”
A person describing a dream with a haunting atmosphere might say, “Last night’s spooky nightmare was so vivid, I could feel the presence of supernatural entities.”

20. Scary dream

This term is a straightforward slang for a nightmare that is scary or terrifying. It emphasizes the fear or horror experienced during the dream.

For instance, someone might say, “I had a really scary dream last night. I dreamt I was being attacked by a monster.”
In a discussion about dreams, a person might share, “I often have these scary dreams where I’m being chased by a masked figure.”
A person describing a particularly frightening nightmare might say, “Last night’s scary dream was so intense, I woke up in a panic.”