shade

noun

\ ˈshād

Definition of shade

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light

b : relative obscurity or retirement

2a : 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 shades plural

a : the shadows that gather as darkness comes on

b : netherworld, hades

5a : 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: such 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 shades plural : sunglasses

7a : the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting or drawing

b : a subdued or somber feature

8a : a color produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black in it

b : a color slightly different from the one under consideration

9a : a minute difference or variation : nuance

b : a minute degree or quantity

10 : a facial expression of sadness or displeasure

throw shade

US slang

: to express contempt or disrespect for someone publicly especially by subtle or indirect insults or criticisms Christopher Oram's elegant set is a pillared palazzo; at cafe tables wasp-waisted women sip tiny cups of espresso and throw shade at their rivals from behind dark glasses …— Sam Marlowe

shade

verb

shaded; shading

Definition of shade (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

5a : to represent the effect of shade or shadow on

b : to add shading to

c : to color so that the shades pass gradually from one to another

6 : to change by gradual transition or qualification

7 : to reduce slightly shade a price

8 : slant, bias

intransitive verb

1 : to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees

2 : to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation

Other Words from shade Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about shade

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Synonyms for shade

Synonyms: Noun

dusk, penumbra, shadiness, shadow, umbra

Synonyms: Verb

shadow

Examples of shade in a Sentence

Noun

The buildings cast shade on the plaza. The tree provided plenty of shade. These plants grow well in shade. It was a hot sunny day, but luckily their seats for the game were in the shade. We sat in the shade of a willow tree. He used his hand as a shade as he looked out into the bright sunlight. a lamp with a broken shade She pulled down the shades. She was wearing a cool pair of shades.

Verb

Several large trees shade the house. She shaded the drawing to give it depth. The shaded part of the graph represents the amount of sales. The article shaded the truth by revealing only one side of the story.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But in 2018, Jeffree took to Twitter to shade Kat again by teasing her about her line being on sale at Marshall's. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Guru Jeffree Star," 9 Apr. 2019 Another potential influence is tactics and style of play, which at a World Cup may shade toward the things at which more European sides stereotypically embrace. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "The Factors and Figures Behind Europe's World Cup Dominance Trend," 8 July 2018 This is a slightly creamy version, emerging from the machine in frills, in Hello Kitty shades like pink, lavender, and pale green. — Devra First, BostonGlobe.com, "In search of brain freeze," 21 May 2018 Nvidia is also introducing new rendering and texture shading techniques that will allow game developers to avoid having to continually shade every part of a scene when the player moves around. — Tom Warren, The Verge, "Nvidia rethinks the graphics card with the RTX 2080," 14 Sep. 2018 In reality, the club also uses the structure to shade the grass after applying fertilizer, keep dew off the seats and shield maintenance work. — Daniel Beekman, The Seattle Times, "In $180 million ask for public money, Mariners cite retractable roof used 400 times per year," 28 Aug. 2018 Now, in reference to Kourtney's jaw-dropping party outfit, which didn't leave a lot to the imagination, Kylie decided to shade Kim's insult in the greatest way. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Just Trolled Kim Kardashian for Calling Kourtney Kardashian the "Least Interesting to Look At"," 10 Aug. 2018 When the ground is densely shaded, the seeds can't germinate. — Jean Nick, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Crabgrass Once and for All," 25 June 2018 The forest was pure black where the moonlight was shaded. — Porter Fox, New York Times, "On a Canoe Trip Along the U.S.-Canada Border, Solitude and Shooting Stars," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.