First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shade
noun \ˈshād\
: an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun
: something that is used to block strong light
: a darkened area in a drawing, painting, etc.
Full Definition of SHADE
1
a : comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light b : relative obscurity or retirement
2
a : shelter (as by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlight b : a place sheltered from the sun
3
: an evanescent or unreal appearance
4
5
a : a disembodied spirit : ghost b —used to signal the similarity between a previously encountered person or situation and one at hand ; usually used in plural <shades of my childhood>
6
: something that intercepts or shelters from light, sun, or heat: as a : a device partially covering a lamp so as to reduce glare b : a flexible screen usually mounted on a roller for regulating the light or the view through a window c plural : sunglasses
7
a : the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting or drawing b : a subdued or somber feature
8
a : a color produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black in it b : a color slightly different from the one under consideration
9
a : a minute difference or variation : nuance b : a minute degree or quantity
10
: a facial expression of sadness or displeasure
— shade·less \-ləs\ adjective
See shade defined for English-language learners
See shade defined for kids
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Origin of SHADE
Middle English, from Old English sceadu; akin to Old High German scato shadow, Greek skotos darkness
Related to SHADE
2shade
verb
: to shelter (something) from strong light and especially from sunlight
: to make an area in a drawing, on a graph, etc., darker than other areas
: to change (something, such as the truth) slightly in order to deceive people
shad·edshad·ing
Full Definition of SHADE
transitive verb
1
a : to shelter or screen by intercepting radiated light or heat b : to cover with a shade
2
: to hide partly by or as if by a shadow
3
: to darken with or as if with a shadow
4
: to better or exceed by a shade
5
6
: to change by gradual transition or qualification
7
: to reduce slightly (as a price)
intransitive verb
1
: to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees
2
: to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation
— shad·er noun
See shade defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SHADE
14th century
Related to SHADE
- Synonyms
- shadow
SHADE[1] Defined for Kids
1shade
noun \ˈshād\
Definition of SHADE for Kids
1
: space sheltered from light or heat and especially from the sun <I needed to sit in the shade of a tree.>
2
: partial darkness <The trees cast shade.>
3
: something that blocks off or cuts down light <a lamp shade> <a window shade>
4
: the darkness or lightness of a color <four shades of brown>
5
: a very small difference or amount <He's just a shade taller than me.>
7
: the darkening of some objects in a painting or drawing to suggest that they are in shade
2shade
verb
shad·edshad·ing
Definition of SHADE for Kids
1
: to shelter from light or heat <I shaded my eyes with a hand.>
2
: to mark with or turn a darker color <The shaded parts of the graph show growth.> <Her face shaded purple with embarrassment.>
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