somniare

Somniare is an Italian verb of the -are conjugation that means to dream. In contemporary Italian, the ordinary verb for dreaming during sleep is sognare; somniare is largely literary, poetic, or archaic and is not common in everyday speech.

Etymology and relation to other languages: Somniare derives from Latin somniāre, related to somnium meaning “dream.” The root is shared with other Romance languages, reflecting a common historical development of words for dream and imagining.

Meanings and usage: The primary sense of somniare is the act of experiencing dreams while asleep. In a figurative sense, it can mean to imagine, to conceive, or to dream up ideas, plans, or worlds. Because of its literary tone, somniare is more often found in poetry, classic prose, or formal writing, where a speaker or writer wishes to evoke a dreamy, imaginative register. In everyday language, sognare is typically preferred for both literal and figurative senses.

Register and regional use: Somniare is considered elevated or old-fashioned in standard Italian. It may appear in historical texts, religious or philosophical writings, or modern poetry to achieve a stylistic effect. In most modern contexts, speakers choose sognare or more common synonyms such as immaginare or fantasticare for figurative purposes.

See also: Sognare; immaginare; fantasticare.