Dictionary
1gray
adjective \ˈgrā\
Definition of GRAY
1
a : of the color gray b : tending toward gray <blue-gray eyes> c : dull in color
2
: having the hair gray : hoary
3
: clothed in gray
4
a : lacking cheer or brightness in mood, outlook, style, or flavor; also : dismal, gloomy <a gray day> b : prosaically ordinary : dull, uninteresting
5
: having an intermediate and often vaguely defined position, condition, or character <an ethically gray area>
— gray·ly adverb
— gray·ness noun
See gray defined for English-language learners
See gray defined for kids
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey \ˈgrā\
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Origin of GRAY
Middle English, from Old English grǣg; akin to Old High German grīs, grāo gray
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to GRAY
2gray
noun
Definition of GRAY
1
: something (as an animal, garment, cloth, or spot) of a gray color
2
: any of a series of neutral colors ranging between black and white
3
a : a soldier in the Confederate army during the American Civil War b often capitalized : the Confederate army
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey
First Known Use of GRAY
13th century
3gray
verb
: to become gray
: to become older
Full Definition of GRAY
transitive verb
: to make gray
intransitive verb
1
: to become gray
2
: age; also : to contain an increasing percentage of older people
See gray defined for English-language learners
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey
First Known Use of GRAY
14th century
4gray
noun
Definition of GRAY
: the mks unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation equal to an energy of one joule per kilogram of irradiated material —abbreviation Gy
Origin of GRAY
Louis H. Gray †1965 British radiobiologist
First Known Use: 1975
Gray
biographical name \ˈgrā\
Definition of GRAY
Asa 1810–1888 Am. botanist
Gray
biographical name
Definition of GRAY
Thomas 1716–1771 Eng. poet
GRAYNESS Defined for Kids
1gray
adjective \ˈgrā\
gray·er also grey·ergray·est also grey·est
Definition of GRAY for Kids
1
: of a color that is a blend of black and white <a gray stone>
2
: having gray hair <a gray old man>
3
: lacking cheer or brightness <a gray day>
— gray·ness noun
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey \ˈgrā\
2gray
noun
Definition of GRAY for Kids
: a color that is a blend of black and white
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey
3gray
verb
grayed also greyedgray·ing also grey·ing
Definition of GRAY for Kids
: to make or become gray <graying hair>
Variants of GRAY
gray also grey
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