adj
Uncommon
dreaded
DREH-dihd
Dreaded (adj) means Feared or anticipated with fear or unease. Example: “The dreaded exam results finally arrived.”
adj
1
Feared or anticipated with fear or unease.
"The dreaded exam results finally arrived."
"He finally faced his dreaded boss."
2
Wearing dreadlocks.
"The dreaded musician performed a reggae set."
How to use dreaded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething people are afraid of or not looking forward to.
Common pairings
the dreaded moment
dreaded disease
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dreaded.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more dreaded
- Superlative
- most dreaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ exam results finally arrived.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dreaded
See all rhymes for dreaded →Frequently asked questions
What does “dreaded” mean?
The word “dreaded” means feared or anticipated with fear or unease. In plain terms, something people are afraid of or not looking forward to.
How do you pronounce “dreaded”?
“Dreaded” is pronounced DREH-dihd (/ˈdɹɛ.dɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “dreaded” in a sentence?
Here is “dreaded” used in a sentence: “The dreaded exam results finally arrived.”
What part of speech is “dreaded”?
“Dreaded” is an adjective.
Is “dreaded” a common word?
“Dreaded” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dreaded” have?
“Dreaded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: feared or anticipated with fear or unease.
