How to pronounce dread
Say it like DRED. Dread is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- DRED
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dread pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DREDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of dread
American and British speakers say dread in essentially the same way: /drɛd/ in the US and /drɛd/ in the UK.
British respelling: DRED.
What does dread mean?
- To fear greatly.
- To anticipate with fear.“I'm dreading getting the results of the test, as it could decide my whole life.”
- To be in dread, or great fear.
- Great fear in view of impending evil; fearful apprehension of danger; anticipatory terror.“My visit to the doctor is filling me with dread.”
- Reverential or respectful fear; awe.
- Somebody or something dreaded.
- Terrible; greatly feared; dreaded.
Where does dread come from?
Akin to Old Saxon antdrādan, andrādan (“to fear, dread”), Old High German intrātan (“to fear”), Middle High German entrāten (“to fear, dread, frighten”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dread
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dread.
Words that sound like dread
- dredd
Questions about saying dread
How do you pronounce dread?
Say DRED. The American pronunciation is /drɛd/. In British English it is /drɛd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dread?
Dread is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DRED.
Do Americans and Brits say dread the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /drɛd/ and the British form is /drɛd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as dread?
Dread sounds the same as dredd in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.