Dread

/drɛd/

Meaning & Definition

noun

great fear or apprehension.

The news of the storm filled everyone with dread.

a person or thing that causes fear.

The dread of failure kept him from taking risks.

verb

to anticipate with great apprehension or fear.

She dreaded the thought of having to speak in front of the crowd.

to regard with great apprehension.

He dreaded the upcoming exam and studied late into the night.

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

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

dread out

I dread out when I think about the final exam.

dreads

He's rocking some sick dreads.