fade

¹fade

verb \ˈfād\

fad·edfad·ing

Definition of FADE

intransitive verb

1

: to lose freshness, strength, or vitality : wither <fading flowers>

2

: to lose freshness or brilliance of color

3

: to sink away : vanish <a fading memory>

4

: to change gradually in loudness, strength, or visibility —used of a motion-picture image or of an electronics signal and usually with in or out

5

of an automobile brake : to lose braking power gradually

6

: to move back from the line of scrimmage —used of a quarterback

7

of a ball or shot : to move in a slight to moderate slice

transitive verb

: to cause to fade

— fad·er noun

Examples of FADE

1. The flowers were fading in the vase.
2. the fading light of late afternoon
3. She was fading fast from the effects of the pneumonia.
4. We watched the ship gradually fade from view as it sailed away.
5. The smile faded from his face.
6. Hopes for a quick end of the crisis are fading fast.
7. Their reasons for leaving have faded from memory.
8. He's trying to recapture the faded glory of his youth.
9. The band's popularity has faded in recent years.
10. The fabric will fade unless you protect it from the sunlight.

Origin of FADE

Middle English, from Anglo-French *fader, from fade feeble, insipid, from Vulgar Latin *fatidus, alteration of Latin fatuus fatuous, insipid

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FADE

Synonyms: dematerialize, dissolve, evanesce, evaporate, disappear, flee, fly, go (away), melt, sink, vanish

Antonyms: appear, materialize

Related Words: blank (out), clear, die (away or down or out), disperse, dissipate, dissolve, dry up; blur, dim

Near Antonyms: arrive, break out, come out, emerge, issue, loom, show up

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with FADE

Ade, aid, aide, blade, braid, cade, clade, glade, grade, jade, lade, made, maid, paid, raid, rayed, shade, spade, stade, staid, suede, trade, wade