Dictionary

1dread

verb \ˈdred\

: to fear something that will or might happen

Full Definition of DREAD

transitive verb
1
a :  to fear greatly
b archaic :  to regard with awe
2
:  to feel extreme reluctance to meet or face
intransitive verb
:  to be apprehensive or fearful
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Origin of DREAD

Middle English dreden, from Old English drǣdan
First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with DREAD

2dread

noun

: a strong feeling of fear about something that will or might happen

: a person or thing that causes fear

Full Definition of DREAD

1
a :  great fear especially in the face of impending evil
b :  extreme uneasiness in the face of a disagreeable prospect <dread of a social blunder>
c archaic :  awe
2
:  one causing fear or awe
3
a :  dreadlock 1
b plural :  dreadlock 2

First Known Use of DREAD

13th century

Synonym Discussion of DREAD

fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage <fear of the unknown>. dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety <faced the meeting with dread>. fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear <fright at being awakened suddenly>. alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger <view the situation with alarm>. panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity <the news caused widespread panic>. terror implies the most extreme degree of fear <immobilized with terror>. trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation <raised the subject with trepidation>.

3dread

adjective

: causing great fear

DREAD Defined for Kids

1dread

verb \ˈdred\
dread·eddread·ing

Definition of DREAD for Kids

1
:  to fear or dislike greatly <He can't swim and dreads going into the water.>
2
:  to be very unwilling to face <I dread Monday.>

2dread

noun

Definition of DREAD for Kids

:  great fear especially of something that will or might happen <… her dread of water was greater than her fear of the dark … — L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz>

3dread

adjective

Definition of DREAD for Kids

:  causing great fear or anxiety <a dread disease>

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