Synonyms

dreadlocks

American

[dred-loks] / ˈdrɛdˌlɒks /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

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

dreadlocks British

/ ˈdrɛdˌlɒks /

plural noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dreadlocks

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He presented prison guards with a copy of a 2017 court ruling stating that Rastafarians should be allowed to keep their dreadlocks in line with their religious beliefs.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

After two decades, his dreadlocks went nearly to his knees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

This season, as one of Arisu’s clients, Kuina is practically glowing with joy and contentment in a chunky sweater and jeans, but still with her signature dreadlocks.

From Salon • Sep. 26, 2025

Moody, wearing dreadlocks and a contagious smile, can’t stop scoring, averaging 32.7 points per game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2025

Hollister shook his head, dreadlocks swishing across his purple robes.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023