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: 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
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
shaded; shading
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
shade a price
1
: to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees
2
: to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation
shader
noun
Phrases
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
Sam Marlowe
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebHannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023
Cameron Diaz is a known fan of the balm, warming up her cheeks and lips with the shade Raspberry Beret in a get-ready-with-me video on Instagram.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Plus, the best-seller has even been discounted to an unbeatable $55 thanks to Cyber Monday and is available in three neutral, cool-toned shades that are easily paired with a sweater or sweatshirt for maximum comfort.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
For example, a warm brown will go beautifully with a butter yellow that leans more sunny than a cooler, greenish shade.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2023
Choose from 18 shades like beige and gray to purple and green.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
Gel Nail Polish Kit is a comprehensive manicure set with a UV LED lamp and sheer or bold shades, perfect for anyone who loves doing their nails at home.
—Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023
Jennifer Lawrence's latest outfit, however, is proof that white can be re-invented when paired with the sweetness of the caffè latte shade.
—Selene Oliva, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
On a 2011 trip to Wyoming, Mumford lost his shades, and in a pinch, picked up some all-black, military-grade, wraparound sunglasses at an army surplus store.
—Nicole Gull McElroy, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Near the far rear of the lot, the sparkling swimming pool is privately watched over and shaded by mature trees.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023
Each rerelease stays true to the colorful spirit of the past, but comes shaded with the wisdom of hindsight.
—Raisa Bruner, TIME, 26 Oct. 2023
The smooth, creamy texture is easy to reapply in the bathroom while at a beauty dinner, or to shade in the lips underneath a clear gloss.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
She’s spoken about being asked to paint her skin white, wear pink tights and shading her nose to meet white beauty standards.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
The outdoor swimming pool is one of the city's best outdoor spaces, with jasmine and fruit trees providing smells and shade.
—Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
The National Weather Service venture offers the first real-time forecasting service that shows precise areas such as city blocks likely to experience at least an inch of flooding over the subsequent five days, shading the areas blue on an online map.
—Minho Kim, Scientific American, 13 Nov. 2023
On a drab block of downtown D.C. — gray street flanked by gray sidewalks, shaded by hulking gray office buildings — there is a pane of reflective glass emblazoned with the sunshine-yellow image of a wiener dog in profile.
—Zoe Glasser, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023
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Noun
Though it’s been around 15 years since these shades were regulars in Spears’s rotation, the brand still makes them today, retailing for $455.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023
Cameron Diaz is a known fan of the balm, warming up her cheeks and lips with the shade Raspberry Beret in a get-ready-with-me video on Instagram.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Plus, the best-seller has even been discounted to an unbeatable $55 thanks to Cyber Monday and is available in three neutral, cool-toned shades that are easily paired with a sweater or sweatshirt for maximum comfort.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
For example, a warm brown will go beautifully with a butter yellow that leans more sunny than a cooler, greenish shade.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2023
Choose from 18 shades like beige and gray to purple and green.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
Gel Nail Polish Kit is a comprehensive manicure set with a UV LED lamp and sheer or bold shades, perfect for anyone who loves doing their nails at home.
—Margaret Drake, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023
Jennifer Lawrence's latest outfit, however, is proof that white can be re-invented when paired with the sweetness of the caffè latte shade.
—Selene Oliva, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023
On a 2011 trip to Wyoming, Mumford lost his shades, and in a pinch, picked up some all-black, military-grade, wraparound sunglasses at an army surplus store.
—Nicole Gull McElroy, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
Verb
Keep trees far from irrigation lines, sidewalks, foundations, driveways, etc. Find the sweet spot where the tree is close enough to shade your home, yet far enough that roots won’t cause problems.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Near the far rear of the lot, the sparkling swimming pool is privately watched over and shaded by mature trees.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023
Each rerelease stays true to the colorful spirit of the past, but comes shaded with the wisdom of hindsight.
—Raisa Bruner, TIME, 26 Oct. 2023
The smooth, creamy texture is easy to reapply in the bathroom while at a beauty dinner, or to shade in the lips underneath a clear gloss.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023
She’s spoken about being asked to paint her skin white, wear pink tights and shading her nose to meet white beauty standards.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023
The outdoor swimming pool is one of the city's best outdoor spaces, with jasmine and fruit trees providing smells and shade.
—Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
The National Weather Service venture offers the first real-time forecasting service that shows precise areas such as city blocks likely to experience at least an inch of flooding over the subsequent five days, shading the areas blue on an online map.
—Minho Kim, Scientific American, 13 Nov. 2023
On a drab block of downtown D.C. — gray street flanked by gray sidewalks, shaded by hulking gray office buildings — there is a pane of reflective glass emblazoned with the sunshine-yellow image of a wiener dog in profile.
—Zoe Glasser, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English sceadu; akin to Old High German scato shadow, Greek skotos darkness
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of shade was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing shade
Dictionary Entries Near shade
Cite this Entry
“Shade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shade. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
shade
1 of 2 noun1
: partial darkness
the trees cast shade
2
: space sheltered from the heat and bright light of the sun
sit in the shade of a tree
3
plural
: the shadows that gather as darkness falls
the shades of night
5
: something that blocks off or cuts down light, sun, or heat
a lamp shade
a window shade
6
: the darkening of some objects in a painting or drawing to suggest that they are in shade
7
: the darkness or lightness of a color
four shades of brown
8
: a very small difference or amount
just a shade taller
shades of meaning
shade
2 of 2 verb
shaded; shading
1
: to shelter from light or heat
2
: to mark with changes of light or color
shade a drawing
3
: to show or begin to have slight differences of color, value, or meaning
shader
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on shade
Nglish: Translation of shade for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shade for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shade
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