What does "dreadlocks" mean?
A hairstyle worn by Rastafarians and others in which the hair is left to grow long, and twisted into matted strings.
Dreadlocks
/ˈdɹɛdlɒks/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A hairstyle worn by Rastafarians and others in which the hair is left to grow long, and twisted into matted strings.
- Grammar: dreadlocks is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: cultural symbol, dreads, hairstyle, identity marker.
- Useful contrasts: loose hair, plain hair, straight hair.
- Usage evidence: What do you think of my dreadlocks?
How to use "dreadlocks"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dreadlocks" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dreadlocks" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dreadlocks" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A hairstyle worn by Rastafarians and others in which the hair is left to grow long, and twisted into matted strings. plural, plural-normally
"The patient history may point to the use of tight hairstyles that put tension on the hair root or hair treatments that increase the vulnerability to traction-related damage. The physician should evaluate for a history of tight ponytails, buns, chignons, braids, twists, weaves, cornrows, dreadlocks, sisterlocks, and hair wefts in addition to the usage of religious hair coverings."
Verb
- 1 third-person singular simple present indicative of dreadlock form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
loose hairplain hairstraight hairunmarked hair
Example
"What do you think of my dreadlocks?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dreadlocks"?
Common synonyms include: cultural symbol, dreads, hairstyle, identity marker, locs, rasta.
How do you use "dreadlocks" in a sentence?
What do you think of my dreadlocks?
How do you pronounce "dreadlocks"?
Pronounced /ˈdɹɛdlɒks/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Jamaican Creole dreadlocks, from dread (“of or relating to a dread”, adjective) (from dread (“(usually black) male member of the Rastafarian movement who wears his hair in dreadlocks”, noun), from English dread (“reverential or respectful fear; awe”), referring to the awe inspired by God) + English locks (plural of lock (“length or tuft of hair”)). The English word is analyzable as dread (“Rastafarian”, attributive) + locks.