[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dread/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / dread # dread verb (dread, dreads, dreaded, dreading); noun (dread; uncountable); adjective (old/literary: dread) «dread» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (verb) To feel very worried or afraid about something that is going to happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#m1) 2. (noun) A strong feeling of fear about the future. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#m2) 3. (adjective, literary) Causing great fear: «the dread pirate». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#m3) 4. (informal, noun plural «dreads») Short for dreadlocks, a hairstyle of long twisted strands. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#m4) ### In the lessons In stories dread builds suspense: «She was filled with dread.» In everyday life children dread tests, injections or the dentist. Phrases: «dread doing something», «I dread to think», «filled with dread», «a sense of dread», «full of dread». ### Examples - I dread going to the dentist. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x1) - He was filled with dread as he opened the creaky door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x2) - I dread to think what the kitchen looks like after the party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x3) - She dreaded the spelling test all week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x4) - A sense of dread crept over the campers in the dark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x5) - (literary) The dread dragon guarded the cave. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x6) - (informal) He has long dreads tied back with a band. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x7) - Then a great dread fell upon her. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/#x8) ### Note Past «dreaded». Pattern: «dread + -ing» or «dread to think». Adjective «dreadful» means very bad. «Dread» rhymes with «bed». ## In Jewish tradition To feel great fear, especially of enemies or of God's anger. In Job and the Psalms it also names the fear that God's majesty puts into people, and a sudden terror. **Interpretation.** Moses tells the people not to dread the enemy, because God fights for them. Tradition teaches that trust in God drives out fear, and that awe before God is right. ### Examples - Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. (Torah DEU.1.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x1) - For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x2) - And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because of the children of Israel. (Torah NUM.22.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x3) - Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden dread affrighted thee, (Writings JOB.22.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x4) - Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you? (Writings JOB.13.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x5) - Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good. (Writings PSA.119.39, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/#x6) ### Note Past «dreaded». Pattern: «dread + -ing» or «dread to think». Adjective «dreadful» means very bad. «Dread» rhymes with «bed». ## Early Modern English ### Meaning To be very afraid of something that will happen; as a noun, great fear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/D/dread/#m1) ### Then and now Today "dread" is mostly a noun for fear, and the verb sounds old-fashioned. "Dread not" is an old form of "don't be afraid." ### Examples - Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. (Torah DEU.1.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/D/dread/#x1) - Then a great dread fell upon her. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/D/dread/#x2) - For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/D/dread/#x3) ### Note Today: fear, be scared. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dread/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«dread» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dread.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dread/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«dread» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/dread.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/D/dread/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«dread» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/dread.html) on Mova free.