C1verb & nounAdvanced vocabulary

tread: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/trɛd/·TRED

Tread (verb) means to walk or step on something, often pressing it down.

What does “tread” mean?

  1. 1

    verbto walk or step on something, often pressing it down

    Try not to tread on the flowers.
  2. 2

    nounthe raised pattern on a tire or shoe sole that helps it grip

    The tires had almost no tread left.

Tread at a glance

Part of speech
verb & noun
CEFR level
C1 (advanced)
Pronunciation
/trɛd/ · TRED
Forms
trod, trodden

How to use “tread” correctly

The past forms are irregular: “trod” and “trodden”. “Tread carefully” is often used figuratively for dealing with a sensitive situation.

Common phrases with “tread”

  • tread carefully
  • tread water
  • tread on sb’s toes

“tread” is on these word lists

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