dread
dread Lexical Profile
dread Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A strong feeling of fear, apprehension, or anxiety about something that may happen in the future.
"She felt a sudden wave of dread as she opened the envelope containing her exam results."
A dreadlock, or a hairstyle consisting of ropelike strands of matted or braided hair (usually used in the plural).
"He tied his long dreads back before stepping onto the basketball court."
A person or thing that is an object of great fear or awe.
"Throughout the harsh winter, food scarcity remained the constant dread of the isolated settlement."
• verb
To anticipate with great apprehension, fear, or reluctance.
"Many commuters dread driving through the city center during rush hour."
• adjective
Causing or involving great fear, anxiety, or suffering; dreaded.
"Medical researchers have made significant progress in treating the dread disease over the past decade."
Inspiring profound awe, reverence, or solemn respect (now chiefly archaic or literary).
"The ancient chronicler described the monarch as a dread sovereign whose word was absolute law."
• Rhymes for dread
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English dreden, a shortened form of Old English ondrædan ('to counsel against, fear, or be terrified'), composed of the prefix ond- ('against') and rædan ('to advise or counsel').