Dread
/dred/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo anticipate something with fear or apprehension; to be afraid of something that might happen.
/dred/
To anticipate with great fear or apprehension.
I dread going to the dentist.
💡 Simply: Imagine you know a scary movie is coming out, but you're also super afraid of scary things. You *dread* watching it – you know it will scare you, and you're not excited about it.
👶 For kids: To be really scared of something that's going to happen.
More Examples
He dreaded the thought of public speaking.
Many people dread the winter months.
How It's Used
"I dread the upcoming exam."
"She dreaded the feeling of social isolation."
A feeling of great fear, anxiety, or apprehension about something that may happen; extreme aversion.
/dred/
A great fear or apprehension.
A sense of dread washed over her as she opened the letter.
💡 Simply: It's like when you get that awful feeling right before something bad happens, and you are filled with fear. That feeling is *dread*.
👶 For kids: A big, scary feeling in your tummy.
More Examples
He felt a deep dread about the future.
The news was met with widespread dread.
How It's Used
"A sense of dread filled the room."
"He experienced waves of dread after the accident."
Causing or capable of causing great fear or apprehension; extremely bad or serious.
/dred/
Causing or involving great fear or apprehension.
The outcome of the situation was dreadful.
💡 Simply: Something that is *dread* can be scary. A *dreadful* monster.
👶 For kids: Very scary or bad.
More Examples
The news was dreadfully upsetting.
The prospect of failure was dreadful to him.
How It's Used
"The dreadful implications of the news."
"The dreadful consequences of war."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Dreadlocks
Hair that has been matted into long ropes or cords.
"She wears her hair in dreadlocks."
Fill someone with dread
To cause someone to feel great fear or apprehension.
"The thought of the exam filled him with dread."
From Old English *drædan* 'to fear, be afraid'; related to Old High German *trâtan* 'to tread'. The noun developed later, around the 13th century.
The word's usage has evolved from a stronger sense of fear to a more general sense of apprehension, particularly in literature and psychological contexts.
Memory tip
Think of *red* flags. You *dread* seeing them because they signal potential problems.
Word Origin
"fear, be afraid"