The most common dreams, and what they really mean

We’ve all had those dreams that have made us wake up in a full panic, only to realize they’re, well, just dreams. But what do they actually mean? The subject of dream interpretation has for centuries fascinated people, and we can all relate. Although it's still not fully understood why we even dream at all, analyzing dreams and ascribing meaning to them has become a source of both entertainment and self-reflection. With the average person having between three and five dreams per night, psychologists and neurobiologists have a number of theories to offer about why we dream and what our dreams may mean.

Curious? Check out this gallery for some of the most common dreams and their meaning.

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Cheating -

Dreams about you or your partner cheating can be scary, but they're not uncommon. While these dreams might be the reflection of fears of infidelity, such dreams probably don't mean that your significant other is cheating or will cheat.

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Cheating -

If you're the one cheating in the dream, it could be about a new element in your life that your subconscious feels is taking away from your relationship.

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Taking a test -

Taking an exam in your dream might reveal an underlying fear of failure. This is because tests present stressful experiences.

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Taking a test -

To dream of failing an exam, being late for one, or being unprepared demonstrates that you don't feel prepared for the challenges of your waking life.

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Losing teeth -

One of the most common types of dreams, it might mean that you're worried about your appearance, or that you're concerned about your ability to communicate.

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Losing teeth -

Dreaming about losing teeth might also be rooted in reality. According to a 2018 study, actual dental irritation could be the reason, rather than psychological distress.

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Being chased -

Running away from something or being chased in your dream suggests that you are running away from something that is causing you fear or anxiety.

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Being chased -

A behavior of avoidance contributes to this dream, which can also be a recurring dream until you find the issue and resolve it in your waking life.

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Falling -

Falling in a dream may reflect feelings of fear, anxiety, or betrayal. They can also be associated with feeling out of control or overwhelmed.

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Falling -

Falling dreams can also be caused by letdowns and disappointments, especially by things we had high hopes for.

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Loss of voice and inability to call or shout for help -

Dreams about losing your voice suggest a need for self-expression, assertiveness, and confidence. You might feel unheard or misunderstood in your waking life.

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Loss of voice and inability to call or shout for help -

But this may not just be a dream; it may be the result of sleep paralysis, which is a temporary loss of muscle control just after falling asleep or before waking up.

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Hanging out with a celebrity -

Dreaming of a celebrity symbolizes qualities you idolize in that person and that you want to embody yourself with. Maybe it's their personality or even their lifestyle.

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Hanging out with a celebrity -

Celebrity dreams can also probably mean that you desire being appreciated. You want to feel worthy and be cherished by people around you.

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Pregnancy -

Dream interpreters often suggest that dreams about pregnancy represent everything from creativity to fear, such as the fear of being an inadequate mother.

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Pregnancy -

Even if you’re not trying to have children, a pregnancy dream can also mean that something is growing and developing inside of you. It could be anything from a new idea, to working toward a promotion.

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Position of power -

Dreaming that you're a CEO, president, or royal seems to be grand. However, most people who dream of being in a position of power are, in fact, not living in reality.

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Position of power -

In fact, what looks like grandiosity is actually compensatory. The dream covers up for the feelings of powerlessness.

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Undressed in public -

Dreaming about being undressed in public is typically connected to something in your daily life that has left you feeling embarrassed, scrutinized, or vulnerable.

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Undressed in public -

However, if you feel no shame, it could be the total opposite. Maybe you want to be seen, acknowledged, and admired.

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Money -

Dreaming about winning money could indicate that you're feeling optimistic about the current direction your life is taking.

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Money -

However, dreaming about losing money may reflect a negative financial situation in your real life.

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Dying -

Dreams about dying can be particularly unsettling. Interpretations suggest that such dreams reflect anxiety about change or a fear of the unknown.

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Dying -

Studies have also shown that those approaching the end of life, and loved ones around them, experience meaningful dreams, often relating to a comforting presence, preparing to go, and unfinished business.

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Feeling trapped -

Dreaming about being trapped, restricted, or unable to move is thought to be related to frustration in a person’s waking life. It often appears when someone is stuck in a dead-end job or an unsatisfying relationship.

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Feeling trapped -

It's also linked to feelings of powerlessness and the inability to make a difference in a situation.

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Flying -

Flying dreams can be exciting and even liberating, but they can also be frightening if you're afraid of heights.

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Flying -

Flying dreams often have two very different meanings. They can represent feelings of freedom and independence, or the desire to flee or escape from the realities of life.

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Food -

Food dreams can be both positive or negative. For example, dreaming of a table full of food often means high levels of happiness and enjoyment in waking life.

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Food -

However, dreaming of eating poisonous food has been interpreted to mean there's something in your life that you need to get rid of.

Sources: (Harper's Bazaar) (Forbes) (Verywell Mind)

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The most common dreams, and what they really mean -

Curious? Check out this gallery for some of the most common dreams and their meaning.

0 / 31 Fotos

Cheating -

Shutterstock

1 / 31 Fotos

Cheating -

If you're the one cheating in the dream, it could be about a new element in your life that your subconscious feels is taking away from your relationship.

Shutterstock

2 / 31 Fotos

Taking a test -

Taking an exam in your dream might reveal an underlying fear of failure. This is because tests present stressful experiences.

Shutterstock

3 / 31 Fotos

Taking a test -

To dream of failing an exam, being late for one, or being unprepared demonstrates that you don't feel prepared for the challenges of your waking life.

Shutterstock

4 / 31 Fotos

Losing teeth -

One of the most common types of dreams, it might mean that you're worried about your appearance, or that you're concerned about your ability to communicate.

Shutterstock

5 / 31 Fotos

Losing teeth -

Dreaming about losing teeth might also be rooted in reality. According to a 2018 study, actual dental irritation could be the reason, rather than psychological distress.

Shutterstock

6 / 31 Fotos

Being chased -

Running away from something or being chased in your dream suggests that you are running away from something that is causing you fear or anxiety.

Shutterstock

7 / 31 Fotos

Being chased -

A behavior of avoidance contributes to this dream, which can also be a recurring dream until you find the issue and resolve it in your waking life.

Shutterstock

8 / 31 Fotos

Falling -

Falling in a dream may reflect feelings of fear, anxiety, or betrayal. They can also be associated with feeling out of control or overwhelmed.

Shutterstock

9 / 31 Fotos

Falling -

Falling dreams can also be caused by letdowns and disappointments, especially by things we had high hopes for.

Shutterstock

10 / 31 Fotos

Loss of voice and inability to call or shout for help -

Dreams about losing your voice suggest a need for self-expression, assertiveness, and confidence. You might feel unheard or misunderstood in your waking life.

Shutterstock

11 / 31 Fotos

Loss of voice and inability to call or shout for help -

But this may not just be a dream; it may be the result of sleep paralysis, which is a temporary loss of muscle control just after falling asleep or before waking up.

Shutterstock

12 / 31 Fotos

Hanging out with a celebrity -

Dreaming of a celebrity symbolizes qualities you idolize in that person and that you want to embody yourself with. Maybe it's their personality or even their lifestyle.

Shutterstock

13 / 31 Fotos

Hanging out with a celebrity -

Celebrity dreams can also probably mean that you desire being appreciated. You want to feel worthy and be cherished by people around you.

Shutterstock

14 / 31 Fotos

Pregnancy -

Dream interpreters often suggest that dreams about pregnancy represent everything from creativity to fear, such as the fear of being an inadequate mother.

Shutterstock

15 / 31 Fotos

Pregnancy -

Shutterstock

16 / 31 Fotos

Position of power -

Dreaming that you're a CEO, president, or royal seems to be grand. However, most people who dream of being in a position of power are, in fact, not living in reality.

Shutterstock

17 / 31 Fotos

Position of power -

In fact, what looks like grandiosity is actually compensatory. The dream covers up for the feelings of powerlessness.

Shutterstock

18 / 31 Fotos

Undressed in public -

Dreaming about being undressed in public is typically connected to something in your daily life that has left you feeling embarrassed, scrutinized, or vulnerable.

Shutterstock

19 / 31 Fotos

Undressed in public -

However, if you feel no shame, it could be the total opposite. Maybe you want to be seen, acknowledged, and admired.

Shutterstock

20 / 31 Fotos

Money -

Dreaming about winning money could indicate that you're feeling optimistic about the current direction your life is taking.

Shutterstock

21 / 31 Fotos

Money -

However, dreaming about losing money may reflect a negative financial situation in your real life.

Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Dying -

Dreams about dying can be particularly unsettling. Interpretations suggest that such dreams reflect anxiety about change or a fear of the unknown.

Shutterstock

23 / 31 Fotos

Dying -

Shutterstock

24 / 31 Fotos

Feeling trapped -

Shutterstock

25 / 31 Fotos

Feeling trapped -

It's also linked to feelings of powerlessness and the inability to make a difference in a situation.

Shutterstock

26 / 31 Fotos

Flying -

Flying dreams can be exciting and even liberating, but they can also be frightening if you're afraid of heights.

Shutterstock

27 / 31 Fotos

Flying -

Flying dreams often have two very different meanings. They can represent feelings of freedom and independence, or the desire to flee or escape from the realities of life.

Shutterstock

28 / 31 Fotos

Food -

Food dreams can be both positive or negative. For example, dreaming of a table full of food often means high levels of happiness and enjoyment in waking life.

Shutterstock

29 / 31 Fotos

Food -

However, dreaming of eating poisonous food has been interpreted to mean there's something in your life that you need to get rid of.

Sources: (Harper's Bazaar) (Forbes) (Verywell Mind)

Shutterstock

30 / 31 Fotos