to anticipate with great apprehension or fear · to intensely dislike the idea of something
Ever feel that pit in your stomach thinking about that upcoming Monday meeting or a super tough exam? 😩 That's when you "dread something"! It's when you really, really don't want something to happen, or you're just not looking forward to it *at all*. It often comes with a sense of anxiety or fear.
💡 **Pro Tip!** You can use "dread" with a noun (I dread Monday) or a gerund (I dread going to the dentist). It's usually about something in the near future. Don't confuse it with "fear" which can be more immediate or general. "Dread" is specifically about *anticipating* an unpleasant event.
When would you use 'to dread something' most appropriately? A. When you're excited about an upcoming vacation. B. When you're looking forward to a delicious meal. C. When you're extremely anxious about a presentation you have to give.