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

These apartments typically have covered walkways that shade the corridors and parking accessed via an alley in the back. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio’s 10 best overlooked architectural gems," 13 Sep. 2019 The four trees deemed to be damaged, decaying and in the worst condition of the 40 that shade Marine Avenue are outside the Basilic Restaurant, the Balboa Island Museum, Starbucks and Abrams Coastal Properties. — Hillary Davis, Daily Pilot, "Removal coming for some Balboa Island trees, testing for others," 4 Sep. 2019 Everything on camera gets made to look old and decrepit or just shaded to look more 3D. Everything was more time-consuming. — Naomi Hofferber, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Series of Unfortunate Events' Costumer on Creating "Crazy" Latex Octopus Dress, Dragonfly Wings," 14 Aug. 2019 The areas shaded in green are planned for parking spaces and the purple square identifies the entrance to the parking lots north of the existing Cal Fire Station driveway at 16310 state Route 67. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Planners review Woodson parking, evacuation plan," 13 Sep. 2019 Lozada Toledo also points to ridge lines shaded onto the map's topography; a few are close to the arc. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "In search of the ‘white Jaguar’: Archaeologists travel deep into the jungle to find a lost Maya city," 5 Sep. 2019 Charming, often ruthless and blessed with leading-man looks, Mr. Bell took a roguish delight in shading the truth on behalf of clients and causes. — David Segal, New York Times, "Tim Bell, 77, Dies; Brazen P.R. Man for Thatcher and Other Leaders," 28 Aug. 2019 Charming, often ruthless, and blessed with leading-man looks, Mr. Bell took a roguish delight in shading the truth on behalf of clients and causes. — David Segal, BostonGlobe.com, "Tim Bell, 77, brazen PR Man for Thatcher and Other Leaders," 28 Aug. 2019 The park becomes an urban oasis in the summer, lined by bike paths, shaded trails for hikers and views from near the summit that attract tourists and locals. — Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY, "First time in Montreal? Here are 5 things you should do," 21 Aug. 2019

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.