grey
adjective
less common spelling of gray
1
a
: of the color gray
b
: tending toward gray
blue-gray eyes
c
: dull in color
2
: having gray hair
grew old and gray
3
: clothed in gray
4
b
: prosaically ordinary : dull, uninteresting
… the … boring, gray dullness of government …—
P. J. O'Rourke
P. J. O'Rourke5
: having an intermediate and often vaguely defined position, condition, or character
an ethically gray area
Usage of Gray and Grey
Gray and grey are both accepted spellings. Gray is more frequent in US English, while grey is preferred in Canada, the UK, and elsewhere.
Examples of grey in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Captured by the legendary late bootlegger Mike Millard and well-known in the grey market, it’s been spruced up by Steven Wilson for inclusion on the set, marking its first-ever official release.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2025
In soft grey-blue rubber, it is dramatically angled down, a design that helps make the lug-less titanium shape feel a lot more relaxed on the wrist than any 45 mm watch has any right to, aided by a 95-gram weight.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2025
James has blonde hair and was last seen wearing a grey shirt featuring an astronaut rocket and green pants.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Brolin's Goonies character Brand famously wore similar clothes, with a red bandana, a cut-off grey T-shirt, and black shorts over grey sweats.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Dec. 2025
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Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2025
In soft grey-blue rubber, it is dramatically angled down, a design that helps make the lug-less titanium shape feel a lot more relaxed on the wrist than any 45 mm watch has any right to, aided by a 95-gram weight.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2025
James has blonde hair and was last seen wearing a grey shirt featuring an astronaut rocket and green pants.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Brolin's Goonies character Brand famously wore similar clothes, with a red bandana, a cut-off grey T-shirt, and black shorts over grey sweats.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grey
Cite this Entry
“Grey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grey. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Grey 1 of 4
biographical name (1)
2nd Earl 1764–1845 Charles Grey English statesman; prime minister (1830–34)
Grey
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Sir Edward 1862–1933 Viscount
Grey of Fallodon
ˈfa-lə-dᵊn 
English politician
English politician
Grey
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Lady Jane 1537–1554 titular queen of England for 9 days
Grey
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Zane 1875–1939 American novelist
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