dreading
MediumGeneral, common in informal, conversational, and expressive writing. Also used in literature and clinical contexts (e.g., anxiety).
Definition
Meaning
The act of anticipating or fearing something unpleasant with anxiety and dread.
A state of apprehensive worry, often about a future event or consequence, characterized by a strong desire to avoid it.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deeper, more sustained, and often more paralyzing fear than 'worrying'. It carries a strong element of emotional anticipation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slight nuance: In UK English, 'dread' may be used more casually in slang (e.g., "I'm dreading it"). In US English, it's slightly more formal/forceful.
Frequency
Broadly equivalent frequency. Perhaps slightly more common in UK colloquial speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + is/was dreading + [Noun Phrase/Verb-ing] (I am dreading the exam.)[Subject] + dreading + [that-clause] (I'm dreading that she'll find out.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live in dread of”
- “Dread the worst”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The team is dreading the quarterly audit report." (Anticipating negative feedback/stressful process)
Academic
"Many students reported dreading the upcoming dissertation defense."
Everyday
"I'm dreading telling my parents I crashed the car."
Technical
In psychology: "The client exhibits anticipatory anxiety, persistently dreading social interactions."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She's been dreading the Christmas party for weeks.
- I dread to think what the repair bill will be.
American English
- He's dreading his performance review tomorrow.
- I dread having to make that phone call.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'dreading' is not used as an adverb. The adverb is 'dreadfully'.
American English
- N/A - 'dreading' is not used as an adverb. The adverb is 'dreadfully'.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'dreading' is not used as a standard adjective. The adjective is 'dreadful' or 'dread' (archaic/poetic).
American English
- N/A - 'dreading' is not used as a standard adjective. The adjective is 'dreadful' or 'dread' (archaic/poetic).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I am dreading the test tomorrow.
- She is dreading the cold weather.
- He's been dreading this meeting with his boss all week.
- We dreaded telling them the bad news.
- Despite dreading the interview, she managed to appear confident and calm.
- The prospect of moving to a new city alone filled her with dread.
- Politicians are reportedly dreading the publication of the inquiry's findings, which could be politically devastating.
- A profound sense of dread enveloped him as he contemplated the irreversible consequences of his decision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a heavy, sinking feeling in your stomach when you imagine something BAD. DREAD = D(istressing) + (d)READ(iness for bad news). The 'ead' in 'dread' can remind you of a 'headache' from worrying.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS A THREATENING OBJECT/EVENT APPROACHING; FEAR IS A HEAVY WEIGHT/BURDEN ("a dread weight", "filled with dread").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to "бояться" for all contexts. "Dreading" is more specific than general fear ("бояться") and implies prolonged, focused anticipation of a *specific* bad thing. Closer to "со страхом ожидать", "с ужасом думать о".
Common Mistakes
- Using it for minor worries ("I'm dreading that my coffee is cold" - too strong).
- Incorrect gerund: "I am dread to go" (correct: "I am dreading going").
- Confusing with 'dreaming' in spelling/pronunciation.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'dreading' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's often used hyperbolically in everyday conversation for relatively minor but unpleasant tasks (e.g., 'I'm dreading doing the laundry'). However, it always implies a stronger emotional reaction than simply 'not liking'.
'Fearing' can be more immediate or general (fear of spiders, fear of failure). 'Dreading' specifically involves the anxious anticipation of a known or imagined *future* event or situation. You dread the *process* of something bad, not just the thing itself.
Yes, very commonly. Because it describes an ongoing state of mind about a future event, forms like 'I am dreading', 'she was dreading', 'they have been dreading' are perfectly natural and frequent.
Yes, the related noun is 'dread'. 'Dreading' is the present participle/gerund of the verb 'to dread'. Example: 'Her dread of flying was intense' (noun) vs. 'She was dreading the flight' (verb).
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