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shade definition

shade (s̸hād)

noun

  1. comparative darkness caused by a more or less opaque object cutting off rays of light, as from the sun
    1. a place giving protection from the heat and light of the sun, as under a tree
    2. an area less brightly lighted than its surroundings
  2. Archaic
    1. a shadow
    2. a retired or secluded place
  3. an indication or representation of darkness in painting, drawing, photography, etc.
  4. degree of darkness of a color; gradation of a color with reference to its mixture with black various shades of blue
    1. a small difference or variation shades of opinion
    2. a slight amount or degree; trace; touch; suggestion a shade of humor in his voice
  5. Chiefly Literary
    1. a ghost; specter
    2. anything lacking substance or reality; phantom
  6. any of various devices used to protect or screen from light and heat; specif.,
    1. lampshade
    2. window shade
  7. Slang sunglasses

Etymology: ME schade < OE sceadu (gen. & dat. sceadwe), akin to Goth skadus < IE base *skot-, darkness, shadow > Gr skotos, darkness

transitive verb shaded shad′ed, shading shad′·ing

  1. to protect or screen from light or heat
  2. to provide with a shade
  3. to hide or screen with or as with a shadow
  4. to make dark, as with a shade or a shadow; darken; dim; obscure
    1. to represent the effects of shade in (a painting, photograph, etc.)
    2. to depict in, or mark with, gradations of light or color
  5. to change by very slight degrees or gradations
  6. ☆ to lessen or reduce (a price) slightly

intransitive verb

to change, move, or vary slightly or by degrees

Related Forms:

shade Idioms

in the shade

or into the shade
  1. in (or into) darkness or shadow
  2. in (or into) comparative obscurity, or a position of minor importance

shades of

something reminding one of something (or someone) past shades of Prohibition!

the shades

  1. the increasing darkness, as of evening
    1. the world of the dead; Hades
    2. the disembodied spirits of the dead, collectively

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

shade Synonyms

shade

n.

  1. Lack of light

    blackness, shadow, dimness; see darkness 1.

  2. A degree of color

    cast, tone, hue; see color 1, tint.

  3. A slight difference

    variation, proposal, hint; see suggestion 1.

  4. An obstruction to light

    covering, blind, screen; see curtain.

  5. A ghost

    spirit, manes, revenant; see ghost 1, 2. See syn. study at color.


shade

v.

  1. To intercept direct rays

    screen, shelter, shadow, cast a shadow over, overshadow, eclipse.

  2. To make darker

    darken, blacken, obscure, cloud, shadow, make dim, adumbrate, tone down, nigrify, black out, make dusky, deepen the shade, overshadow, make gloomy, screen, shut out the light, befog, keep out the light.

  3. To become darker

    grow dark, grow black, become dark, grow dim, blacken, turn to twilight, deepen into night, become gloomy, be overcast, grow dusky, cloud up, cloud over, overcloud, grow shadowy.

  4. *To win by a narrow margin

    barely win, win by a hairbreadth, nose out*; see defeat.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

shade Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • dapple: The midday sunshine can be a mixed blessing look for dappled shade for best results.

Adjective modifier

  • pastel: The rising sun casts pastel shades across a Hollywood skyline.

Noun used with modifier

  • aviator: Once the glaring afternoon sun fell into his eyes, he flipped down the aviator shades from his mesh hat.

Preposition: of

  • gray: A fine plate, printed in various shades of gray.
shade usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

shade quotes

The land lies desolate and stripped; Across its waste has thinly strayed A tattered host of eucalypt. From whose gaunt uniform is made A ragged penury of shade.

-Adams, Arthur Henry

Still nursing the unconquerable hope, Still clutching the inviolable shade.

-Arnold, Matthew

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the L, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The L is thy keeper: the L is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moonby night.The L shall preservetheefromallevil: he shall preserve thy soul. The L shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

-Bible (Old Testament)

shade quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"shade." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/shade>

APA Style

shade. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/shade

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