the American dream

noun phrase

variants or the American Dream
: a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful
With good jobs, a nice house, two children, and plenty of money, they believed they were living the American dream.

Examples of the American dream in a Sentence

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In delivering the commencement address to CSUF business school graduates in 2024, Gonzalez recounted his family’s pursuit of the American dream. Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025 His vision was a particular sort of American Gothic—a different way of seeing the American dream. Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 17 Jan. 2025 Grape Law Firm, PLLC (GLF) is dedicated to helping its clients achieve the American dream. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025 Atwood argues that growing wealth inequality is eroding faith in the American dream—the idea that hard work and a bit of luck can lead to success and prosperity. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for the American dream 

Dictionary Entries Near the American dream

Cite this Entry

“The American dream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20American%20dream. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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