Word
dreadlocks
Phoneticsdread·locks
UK/dɹˈɛdlɒks/
Countable noun
Definition
n. long pieces of hair twisted into thick, rope-like strands that stay that way as they grow. You see this hairstyle in many cultures around the world.
n. tightly matted or twisted strands of hair forming rope-like locks that develop naturally or through styling. Often associated with Rastafari culture but now worn broadly as a hairstyle.
Examples
“She wears her dreadlocks in a high bun.”
“He ties his dreadlocks back before his shift at the restaurant kitchen.”
“Her dreadlocks, cultivated over a decade, reflected both personal commitment and a broader cultural heritage that she discussed openly in interviews.”
Examples
simple
“She wears her dreadlocks in a high bun.”
contextual
“He ties his dreadlocks back before his shift at the restaurant kitchen.”
complex
“Her dreadlocks, cultivated over a decade, reflected both personal commitment and a broader cultural heritage that she discussed openly in interviews.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dreadlocks” in context.
Verb
01. cut dreadlocks
“She cut her dreadlocks off for charity last summer.”
verb + noun
02. dreadlocks fall
“His dreadlocks fell over his face during the match.”
noun + verb
03. dreadlocks hang
“Her dreadlocks hung down to her waist in the photo.”
noun + verb
04. dreadlocks swing
“Her dreadlocks swung from side to side as she danced.”
noun + verb
05. grow dreadlocks
“He decided to grow dreadlocks after travelling to Jamaica.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. blonde dreadlocks
“The singer is easy to spot because of her blonde dreadlocks.”
adj + noun
07. long dreadlocks
“She tied her long dreadlocks back before starting work in the kitchen.”
adj + noun
08. neat dreadlocks
“He keeps his dreadlocks neat for his job in a smart hotel.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. head of dreadlocks
“She shook her head of dreadlocks and laughed.”
noun + prep + noun
10. mass of dreadlocks
“A mass of dreadlocks fell out from under his hat.”
noun + prep + noun
11. have hair in dreadlocks
“She has her hair in dreadlocks for cultural reasons.”
12. pull dreadlocks into a ponytail
“He pulled his dreadlocks into a ponytail before the game.”
Real-World Examples
“With hair that reaches his ankles, Aedan Scipio's dreadlocks are certainly hard to miss.” “A US Supreme Court has ruled that a former Louisiana inmate cannot sue prison officials who forcibly shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his Rastafarian faith.” “The policing of Black hair continues in environments such as schools, where Black girls sporting natural afros or dreadlocks may face suspension for not "wearing their hair correctly" or are pressured to straighten their hair.” “Believers are forbidden to cut their hair and instead twist it into dreadlocks.” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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