First Known Use: before 12th century
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
See dread defined for English-language learners
See dread defined for kids
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Origin of DREAD
Middle English dreden, from Old English drǣdan
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
See dread defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DREAD
13th century
Related to DREAD
- Synonyms
- alarm (also alarum), apprehensiveness, apprehension, foreboding, misgiving
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
Full Definition of DREAD
1
: causing great fear or anxiety
2
: inspiring awe
See dread defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DREAD
15th century
Related to DREAD
- Synonyms
- alarming, dire, direful, fearful, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, frightful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying
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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