WordGarden.iofade
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈeɪd/
US
- /ˈfeɪd/
Meanings
Verb
to gradually lose color, brightness, or visibility
to gradually become weaker, less noticeable, or disappear
to make an image or sound gradually appear, disappear, or blend in production
Noun
a haircut that gradually changes from very short hair to longer hair
a sports shot, route, or move that curves or moves away
Beyond the definition
Have you ever watched a beautiful sunset? The bright colors do not just vanish. They slowly fade into the darkness, losing their brightness over time. That is what "fade" means: to gradually disappear or become weaker. It can describe physical things like colors, light, or sound, but also less concrete things like memories, feelings, or interest. A photograph left in the sun might fade, and a popular trend may slowly fade from view. You might even say your enthusiasm for a task fades after working on it for hours.
To fade means to gradually become less strong, clear, bright, or important. It suggests a slow change rather than a sudden stop. Think of the way a scent thins out in the air. It does not simply end; it slowly fades away.
"Fade" can be used in many contexts. A color might fade in the sun ("The curtains had faded after years by the window"). A sound might fade as you move farther away ("Her voice faded into the distance"). Light can fade at the end of the day, and music can fade until you can hardly hear it. Memories can fade over time ("His recollection of the event began to fade"). Even emotions are not immune; a feeling of anger, fear, or sadness might slowly fade.
As a verb, "fade" usually describes the process of becoming weaker or less noticeable. It can also be used for causing that effect, especially in film, music, and lighting, where one image, sound, or light is gradually reduced or replaced. As a noun, it can mean a gradual disappearance or transition, such as a fade in a movie scene or a song ending softly. It can also refer to a hairstyle in which the hair becomes gradually shorter down the sides and back.
Figuratively, "fade" can also mean to lose importance or relevance. A celebrity might fade into obscurity if they stop appearing in the public eye. A once-popular idea might fade from memory as new ones take its place. Hope can fade, excitement can fade, and even a strong friendship can fade if it is not kept alive.
So whether it is a physical change, a weaker sensation, a slow loss of feeling, or a smooth visual transition, "fade" describes something that gradually loses strength, clarity, or impact over time, like a whisper carried away on the wind.
Examples
- 1
Printed text
The writing on the old sign has started to fade.
- 2
Daylight
By late afternoon, the light was beginning to fade.
- 3
Distant sound
The sound of the train faded as it moved farther away.
- 4
Facial expression
Her smile faded when she saw the bill.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Physical feeling
The pain should fade by tomorrow.
- 6
Memory
Some of the details have faded from my memory.
- 7
Audio ending
The song fades out very slowly at the end.
- Phrasefade out
become quieter or less clear until it ends
- 8
Social visibility
At big meetings, he tends to fade into the background.
- Phrasefade into the background
become less noticeable
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fadeverbnoun
Forms
- fadedpast tenseverbnoun
- fading-ing formverbnoun
- fadesverbnoun