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

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

At a news conference Sunday evening, Banks described him as 19 or 20 years old and 5 feet 7, with short dreadlocks. —Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 17 June 2024

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

With his dreadlocks flowing down his back, the defender weaved through a series of challenges before slipping the ball into the box with the outside of his right boot on both occasions. —Jay Harris, The Athletic, 21 July 2024

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