dreadlocks

[ dred-loks ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. a hairstyle, especially among Rastafarians, in which the hair is worn in long, ropelike locks.

dreadlocks

/ ˈdrɛdˌlɒks /

plural noun

1. hair worn in the Rastafarian style of long matted or tightly curled strands

Word History and Origins

Origin of dreadlocks¹

First recorded in 1955–60; dread + lock ² + -s ³

Example Sentences

Officials suspended Darryl George, 19, last August, saying his dreadlocks violated the dress code.

From BBC

But Mr George refused to cut his braided dreadlocks, with the family citing its cultural significance in the black community.

From BBC

The law, which took effect in September 2023, bars employers and schools from penalising people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including dreadlocks.

From BBC

The district has maintained that George's long hair — dreadlocks that he would typically wear to school twisted back and tucked — breached its policy for boys' hair length because, if let down, George's hair would fall below his earlobes, eyebrows or shirt collar.

From Salon

Mr Njuguna says he thought his friend was profiled by the officer who shot him because he had dreadlocks.

From BBC

Related Words

• braid
• haircut
• hairdo
• headdress
• ponytail