dreadlock

noun

dread·​lock ˈdred-ˌläk 

plural dreadlocks

1

: a narrow ropelike strand of hair formed by matting, braiding, or twisting : lock

2

dreadlocks ˈdred-ˌläks  plural : a hairstyle consisting of dreadlocks : locks

dreadlocked

ˈdred-ˌläkt 

adjective

Examples of dreadlock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Private Collection is surprisingly bright for a Saba album, trading the trauma of 2018’s Care for Me and introspection of Few Good Things for songs about community, dating, and dreadlocks. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

For some reason, during his hosting debut, Adrien Brody decided to introduce musical guest Sean Paul while wearing fake dreadlocks and using a Jamaican accent. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025

Police describe the victim as a Black woman between 20 and 22 years old, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 140 pounds with black and blue dreadlocks or braids. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025

So no, Shane Gillis being hired and then fired in 2019 before ever taking the Studio 8H stage didn’t make the cut, but Adrien Brody’s bizarre dreadlocks definitely did. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dreadlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk