grey
gb/ɡɹˈeɪ/ us/ɡɹˈeɪ/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Having a color between black and white
Having a color that is between black and white.
Usage pattern:
[something] is grey
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'grey' with 'silver' when describing objects with a shiny metallic surface.
Synonyms
gray (Alternative spelling, chiefly used in American English.)
|
ash-colored (A slightly more specific shade of grey, resembling ash.)
Antonyms
white (The lightest color, opposite to black and lighter than grey.)
|
black (The darkest color, opposite to white and darker than grey.)
Collocations
grey hair
|grey sky
|grey eyes
|grey suit
|grey stone
Themes
colors
|appearance
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sky turned grey before the storm.
- She wore a long grey coat.
- His hair was turning grey with age.
- The kitten had soft grey fur.
Learner examples
- The cat is grey.
- Her dress is grey.
- I see a grey car.
- The clouds are grey.
adjective
B1
property
2
Dull or lacking cheerfulness
Not bright or happy; dull and without color or excitement.
Usage pattern:
[something] is grey
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the literal color meaning of 'grey' with this figurative sense, using it incorrectly for purely visual description when they mean emotional tone.
Synonyms
dull (Similar in meaning but can also apply to sounds or performance.)
|
drab (More strongly suggests boredom and lifelessness.)
Antonyms
bright (Full of light or vivid in appearance.)
|
cheerful (Full of happiness and positivity.)
Collocations
grey day
|grey mood
|grey world
Themes
emotions
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It was a cold, grey morning in November.
- Her life felt grey after the move to the city.
- The office has a grey, lifeless atmosphere.
Learner examples
- It is a grey day.
- The room looks grey.
- I feel grey today.
Noun
A1
entity
3
Color between black and white
The color between black and white.
Synonyms
gray (Alternative spelling used in American English.)
Antonyms
white (The lightest color.)
|
black (The darkest color.)
Collocations
shade of grey
|light grey
|dark grey
Themes
colors
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She painted the walls in soft grey.
- Grey is my favorite color.
- The artist used many shades of grey.
Learner examples
- My shirt is grey.
- Grey is a nice color.
- I like grey.
adjective
A2
property
4
Hair whitish from age
When a person's hair turns white or silver because they are old.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has grey hair
Synonyms
grizzled (Describes hair streaked with grey, often in older people.)
Antonyms
youthful-haired (Not a common phrase; indicates hair retaining original color at a younger stage.)
Collocations
grey beard
|grey-haired man
Themes
appearance
|age
|body
|health
Examples
- His once-black hair was now completely grey.
- She had a head full of thick, grey curls.
- Grey-haired elders gathered in the hall.
Learner examples
- My grandfather has grey hair.
- She has grey hair now.
- His beard is grey.
adjective
B2
property
5
Not clearly defined or decided
Not clear; not one thing or the other.
Synonyms
ambiguous (Unclear in meaning or position.)
|
uncertain (Not known or decided.)
Antonyms
clear-cut (Obvious and easy to understand or decide.)
Collocations
grey area
Themes
descriptions
|logic
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The law on this issue is still a grey area.
- His role in the project was somewhat grey.
- Ethics often fall into a grey zone.
Learner examples
- This rule is a grey area.
- It is a grey topic.
- That is a grey case.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grey
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈeɪ/
US/ɡɹˈeɪ/
Syllables & stress
grey (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (grey)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: grey
- Comparative: greyer
- Superlative: greyest
Noun
- Base: grey
- Plural: grey, greys
Word family
Forms
greys
noun
greyer
adjective
greyest
adjective
Related words
Expressions
grey area
1/ɡɹˈeɪ ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
Unclear or undefined situation
A situation that is not clear or easy to decide about.
Examples
- Data privacy laws are still a grey area for many companies.
- This part of the agreement is something of a grey area.
grey matter
1/ɡɹˈeɪ mˈætɚ/
fixed phrase
Brain tissue or intelligence
Your brain, especially your ability to think and understand things.
Examples
- Use your grey matter before making that decision.
- Scientists studied the effects of aging on grey matter.
grey skies
1/ɡɹˈeɪ skˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Cloudy, dull skies
When the sky looks cloudy and dull, like it will rain soon.
Examples
- We woke up to grey skies and drizzle.
- Grey skies often make me feel sleepy.