dreads
dreads — verb
1. to feel very worried or frightened about something that is going to happen, so t
to feel very worried or frightened about something that is going to happen, so that you wish you could avoid it
Mei-Lin dreads going to the dentist because the last visit was so painful.
dread + gerund (dread going)
The Park family dreaded the long car trip with three children in the back seat.
Dr. Okafor dreaded the moment he would have to tell the family the test results.
Many employees dread the Monday morning meetings where the boss reviews every mistake.
Elena dreaded the phone call from the hospital after her father's surgery.
- fear
more general; 'fear' can describe a long-term state, while 'dread' focuses on anticipation of a specific event
- be terrified of
stronger emotional intensity than 'dread'
- dread the thought of
less common; adds emphasis to the mental anticipation
- look forward to
opposite emotional expectation
文法句型
dread + noun/gerund
常見錯誤
2. to regard someone or something with a deep feeling of respect mixed with fear
to regard someone or something with a deep feeling of respect mixed with fear
The ancient sailors dreaded the ocean as a powerful force that could destroy them.
dread + noun as object of reverence/fear
In the old kingdom, ordinary people dreaded the emperor, whose word was absolute law.
Kim dreaded the volcano, having heard stories of its destructive power from her grandmother.
The villagers dreaded the forest spirits and never went into the woods after dark.
- revere
focuses more on respect than fear; less intense
- stand in awe of
places more emphasis on wonder than on fear
文法句型
dread + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject of this sense is often a group or community who sees another being or force as having superior power. The object is typically something natural, supernatural, or institutional — not a person you meet socially.
3. used to say that you prefer not to imagine or think about something because the
used to say that you prefer not to imagine or think about something because the idea is too unpleasant
Omar dreaded to think what the repair bill would be after the accident.
dread + to-infinitive (dread to think)
Ananya dreaded to think how her parents would react to the news.
The night-shift nurse dreaded to imagine what the next emergency would bring.
Mrs. Chen dreaded to consider the cost of fixing the old house's roof.
- hate to think
less formal; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
dread + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in the fixed phrases 'dread to think', 'dread to imagine', or 'dread to consider'. It is not followed by a noun or gerund — only by a to-infinitive clause.
常見錯誤
dreads — noun
1. a strong and unpleasant feeling of worry or fear about something that is going t
a strong and unpleasant feeling of worry or fear about something that is going to happen or could happen
A feeling of dread washed over Elena as she opened the tax office letter.
collocation: feeling of dread
The students lived in constant dread of the strict teacher who patrolled the hallway.
collocation: live in dread of
Omar felt a deep dread each time his phone rang late at night.
The dread of failing the exam kept Ananya studying late into the night.
A cold dread settled in Kim's stomach when she heard the strange noise downstairs.
- fear
broader; 'fear' can be about anything, while 'dread' specifically focuses on something anticipated
- anxiety
more about general worry; 'dread' feels more intense and specific
- apprehension
more formal; suggests unease about what might happen
- confidence
feeling of certainty and calm about the future
文法句型
dread of + noun/gerund
sense of dread
feeling of dread
2. a feeling of deep respect mixed with fear, especially toward someone or somethin
a feeling of deep respect mixed with fear, especially toward someone or something very powerful
The tourists looked at the ancient temple with a sense of dread and wonder.
collocation: sense of dread
In many cultures, people feel dread toward natural forces like volcanoes and earthquakes.
The soldiers felt a quiet dread in the presence of the battle-hardened general.
The children gazed at the gigantic Buddha statue with dread, unable to look away.
文法句型
dread of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (FEAR): sense 1 focuses on unpleasant worry about a future event; sense 2 focuses on reverential fear toward something powerful or majestic, not necessarily unpleasant.
3. a person or thing that causes a strong feeling of fear or awe
a person or thing that causes a strong feeling of fear or awe
The old ship was a dread to all sailors who passed the rocky coast.
pattern: a dread to + group
To the local farmers, the drought was their greatest dread every summer.
The monster in the children's story was a dread that kept them awake at night.
For the small town, the rising river was a dread they watched closely each spring.
- terror
stronger; suggests active panic rather than anticipated fear
文法句型
a dread to + noun phrase
4. a hairstyle in which the hair is separated into long, thick twisted pieces that
a hairstyle in which the hair is separated into long, thick twisted pieces that hang down
Mei-Lin spent three hours having her hair styled into neat dreads.
collocation: styled into dreads
The musician was known for his long dreads that reached down to his waist.
Omar decided to start growing dreads after seeing pictures of his favorite reggae singers.
The salon had a special section for people who wanted to get dreads put in.
- dreadlocks
full form; 'dreads' is the shortened, everyday version
文法句型
get/have/wear dreads
用法筆記
Unrelated to the other meanings of 'dread' (fear, awe). 'Dreads' is short for 'dreadlocks'. The hairstyle got its name from the English word 'dread' because early European observers found the matted hair 'dreadful' (causing fear).
dreads — adjective
1. causing a very strong feeling of fear, worry, or anxiety; frightening and hard t
causing a very strong feeling of fear, worry, or anxiety; frightening and hard to face
The dread news of the earthquake spread quickly through the small town.
dread as attributive adjective
The children hid under the bed during the dread storm that shook the whole house.
A dread silence fell over the room when the manager walked in with a stern face.
Elena lived in dread anticipation of the test results from the clinic.
文法句型
dread + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position), never after a linking verb. You can say 'a dread storm' but NOT 'the storm is dread'.
常見錯誤
2. causing a feeling of deep respect mixed with fear; majestic and frightening at t
causing a feeling of deep respect mixed with fear; majestic and frightening at the same time
The dread power of the waterfall could be heard from miles away.
The ancient temple had a dread beauty that made visitors speak in whispers.
collocation: dread beauty
The soldiers marched toward the dread fortress, knowing few would return.
The deep forest held a dread quality that made even the bravest hunters turn back.
- awe-inspiring
focuses on wonder without the fearful element
- imposing
suggests impressive size or authority, not necessarily fear
文法句型
dread + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from adjective sense 1 (FEARFUL): sense 1 focuses on anxiety and unpleasant fear; sense 2 focuses on awe and majesty mixed with fear. Sense 2 is also more literary and less common in everyday speech.