Dread Definition & Meaning
dread
- adjective
- causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
- noun
- fearful expectation or anticipation; "the student looked around the examination room with apprehension"
- verb
- be afraid or scared of; be frightened of; "I fear the winters in Moscow"; "We should not fear the Communists!"
"Dread" in song lyrics
See how dread is used in real songs:
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"Ya eyes bleed, the weed got 'em red dread"
Afu-Ra f/ Masta Killa — Mortal Kombat -
"Coming off the top of the head, it's the dread"
Akrobatik — Red Sox Freestyle -
"It's kind of bugged but it's clear that mine is the dread"
Atherton & Sire f/ Patience — Roland Orzabal
Words that rhyme with dread
Usage tips for "dread"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "dread" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for dread to find words that pair well.
Use "dread" in a verse
Now that you know what "dread" means, try using it in your own lyrics:
Generate a verseFrequently asked questions
- What does dread mean?
- causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse" fearful expectation or anticipation; "the student looked around the examination room with apprehension" be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
- What part of speech is dread?
- Dread is an adjective, a noun, and a verb.
- How many definitions does dread have?
- Dread has 3 definitions across 3 parts of speech (adjective, noun, verb).