shade

noun \ ˈshād \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: shade in a Sentence

Definition of shade

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 shades plural

a : the shadows that gather as darkness comes on

b : netherworld, hades

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 shades plural : sunglasses

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

—

shadeless

play \ˈshād-ləs\ adjective

— 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

See shade defined for English-language learners

See shade defined for kids

Examples of shade in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of shade

Middle English, from Old English sceadu; akin to Old High German scato shadow, Greek skotos darkness

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

shade Synonyms

shade

verb

Definition of shade

shaded; shading

transitive verb

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 a : 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

—

shader

noun

See shade defined for English-language learners

Examples of shade in a Sentence

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 of shade from the Web

The Las Vegas Culinary Union chose the D Casino Hotel to make their statement in the morning, marching mostly under a large canopy that helped shade the workers on a day when authorities issued an excessive heat warning.

— david montero, latimes.com, "Union workers picket in Las Vegas, worried about pay, security and robots taking their jobs," 6 July 2018
Here are tips from Washington Post gardening columnist Adrian Higgins: Herbs like full sun, free-draining soil and an open and airy location, as opposed to shade, heavy clay soil and thick wood mulches.

— becky krystal, sacbee, "As you plot to grow herbs, aim for a balance of wants, needs," 29 June 2018
All presidents exaggerate, shade the truth, use facts selectively, and make unrealistic promises.

— linda feldmann, The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump and truth: Why the media are losing the battle," 25 June 2018
So Sharolyn blends brown and yellow and black and white and red, and her final coats lighten and shade the Big Idaho Potato to burbank russet verisimilitude.

— bill manny, idahostatesman, "New Big Idaho Potato has AC, a mashed-potato interior and cushy digs for Spuddy Buddy," 20 June 2018
One is if existing natural or man-made barriers (such as hills, trees and structures) shade most of the roof.

— kathleen pender, San Francisco Chronicle, "Solar mandate could change how California homes are built," 1 June 2018
With so many more size, gender and shade inclusive options in the lingerie world (like Savage X Fenty or TomboyX), wearing lingerie as an outfit is more relatable than ever.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Bella Thorne Wore Lingerie on the Street in NYC," 25 May 2018
Intelligence agencies often bend a rule, or shade the truth, to please their political masters.

— thomas j. baker, WSJ, "What Went Wrong at the FBI," 19 Mar. 2018
Select plants to suit the climate and the amount of sun or shade the container will receive.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need To Know About Container Gardening," 1 June 2017

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.

First Known Use of shade

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

shade Synonyms

Synonyms

shadow;

Near Antonyms

illuminate, light, lighten;

expose;

canopy, cover, protect, screen;

SHADE Defined for English Language Learners

shade

noun

Definition of shade for English Language Learners

: an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun
: something that is used to block strong light
: a darkened area in a drawing, painting, etc.