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gray

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The definition of gray is the color that is formed by mixing black and white, or having hair of this color.

(adjective)

An example of something gray is the color of stone; gray stone.
An example of gray is hair that is a mix of the original brown or black as well as white showing at the roots; gray hair.

Gray is defined as a color that is a mix of black and white or something of this color.

(noun)

An example of gray is the color of a storm cloud.

See gray in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of a color that is a mixture or blend of black and white
1. darkish; dull
2. dreary; dismal
1. having hair that is gray
2. old, or old and respected
wearing gray garments or uniforms
designating a vague, intermediate area, as between morality and immorality

Origin: ME grai < OE græg, akin to Ger grau < IE base *ĝher-, to shine, gleam > Czech zříti, to see

noun

an achromatic color made by mixing or blending black and white
an animal or thing colored gray; esp., a gray horse
gray or unbleached fabric or clothing
1. a person or group wearing a gray uniform
2. a Confederate soldier

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become gray

Related Forms:

grayly adverb
grayness noun

noun

the basic unit of an absorbed dose of radiation in the SI system, equal to the absorption of one joule of energy per kilogram of material (100 rads): abbrev. Gy

Gray, Asa 1810-88; U.S. botanist
Gray, Thomas 1716-71; Eng. poet

See gray in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also grey

adjective gray·er also grey·er, gray·est also grey·est

Of or relating to an achromatic color of any lightness between the extremes of black and white.
a. Dull or dark: a gray, rainy afternoon.
b. Lacking in cheer; gloomy: a gray mood.
a. Having gray hair; hoary.
b. Old or venerable.
Intermediate in character or position, as with regard to a subjective matter: the gray area between their differing opinions on the film's morality.

noun

An achromatic color of any lightness between the extremes of black and white.
An object or animal of the color gray.
often Gray
a. A member of the Confederate Army in the Civil War.
b. The Confederate Army.

verb grayed also greyed, gray·ing also grey·ing, grays also greys

verb, transitive

To make gray.

verb, intransitive

To become gray.
a. To become old; age.
b. To include a large or increasing proportion of older people: “Federal food programs can't keep up with the nation's rapidly graying population” (Michael J. McCarthy).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English grei

Origin: , from Old English grǣg

Related Forms:

grayˈly adjective

grayˈness noun

noun Abbr. Gy

The SI unit for the energy absorbed from ionizing radiation, equal to one joule per kilogram.

Origin:

Origin: After Louis Harold Gray (1905-1965), British radiobiologist

American botanist who greatly enlarged and improved the description of North American flora and was the chief American advocate of Charles Darwin's theories.

, Robert 1755-1806.

American explorer who twice circumnavigated the globe (1787-1790 and 1790-1793) and discovered Grays Harbor and the Columbia River (1792).

, Thomas 1716-1771.

British poet considered a forerunner of English romanticism. His most famous work is Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751).

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