Meaning & Definition of Dread in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: to anticipate with great apprehension or fear

  Example Sentence: She dreaded the thought of speaking in public.

• Definition: a strong fear or terror

  Example Sentence: The dread of failing exams lingered in his mind.

• Definition: to feel great fear or apprehension for something

  Example Sentence: He dreaded the coming storm.

• Definition: a feeling of great anxiety or fear

  Example Sentence: The dread of war affected the entire nation.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English dreden, from Old English drēdan; akin to Old Norse dreda.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• dread to think: to be afraid to consider something because it is unpleasant
• dread the day: to anticipate with fear an upcoming event
• dreadlocks: a type of hairstyle that involves hair being twisted into locks

Translations

• Spanish: temor

• French: crainte

• German: Furcht

• Russian: страх

Related Words

• afraid: feeling fear or apprehension

• terror: extreme fear

• apprehension: anxiety or fear about the future

Slang Meanings of dread

• Meaning: dreads

  Example Sentence: He's rocking some sick dreads.

• Meaning: dread out

  Example Sentence: I dread out when I think about the final exam.