shade
A place that is darker and cooler because something stops the sun or strong light.
An area where direct light, especially sunlight, is blocked by something, making it darker and usually cooler.
A special kind or level of a color, for example light blue or dark blue.
A particular version, intensity, or degree of a color.
A cover on a window that you can pull up or down to stop light coming in.
A piece of material, usually on a roller or frame, used to cover a window and block or reduce light.
A very small amount or level of something, often used when two things are almost the same.
A very small or slight amount or degree of something, especially when comparing things that are similar.
To stop strong light from hitting something so it becomes darker and cooler.
To make an area or object darker and cooler by blocking or reducing direct light.
To color or draw on part of a picture so that it looks darker.
To make part of a drawing or shape darker by adding lines or color, usually to show depth, shadow, or contrast.
Sunglasses; dark glasses you wear to protect your eyes from the sun.
Sunglasses, especially stylish ones, usually referred to in the plural as "shades".
The spirit of someone who has died; a ghost (literary word).
The spirit or ghost of a dead person, especially in older or literary use.
A way of saying bad or unkind things about someone in a secret or clever way, not directly.
Indirect, often clever or subtle criticism or disrespect, especially in public or online.
To say something that quietly attacks or laughs at someone without saying their name or being very direct.
To criticize or insult someone in an indirect, often clever or playful way.
- Base: shade
- Plural: shade, shades
- Base: shade
- 3rd Person Singular: shades
- Present Participle: shading
- Past: shaded
a shade better
1slightly better than something
A little bit better, not a lot better.
- This version is a shade better than the last one.
- He’s a shade better at math than his brother.
- The second restaurant was a shade better, but still not great.
a shade of [color]
1a particular version of a color
A special kind or level of a color, like light blue or dark blue.
- The sofa is a shade of gray that matches the rug.
- Her dress is a beautiful shade of deep green.
- We chose a soft shade of yellow for the baby’s room.
in the shade
1located where sun is blocked
In a place where something stops the sun, so it is darker and cooler.
- Let’s sit in the shade until it cools down.
- The dog is lying in the shade under the table.
- They put the baby’s stroller in the shade.
put [someone/something] in the shade
1to outshine strongly by comparison
To be so good that another person or thing seems less good or not important.
- Her performance put all the others in the shade.
- The new model puts last year’s phones in the shade.
- His generosity put my small gift in the shade.
shades of gray
1many subtle differences, not simple
Many small differences between two ends, so something is not only good or bad, right or wrong.
- The issue isn’t simple; there are many shades of gray.
- Her novel explores the moral shades of gray in war.
- In real life, things are often shades of gray, not black and white.
shades of meaning
1subtle differences in meaning
Small, careful differences in meaning between words or ideas that are almost the same.
- The teacher explained the shades of meaning between "say", "tell", and "speak".
- Writers care about the shades of meaning that different words carry.
- Translation is difficult because of the many shades of meaning in each language.
throw shade
1criticize or insult indirectly
To say something that secretly attacks or laughs at someone, without speaking very directly.
- Fans thought she was throwing shade at her ex in that interview.
- He keeps throwing shade at other players on social media.
- The comedian threw shade at several politicians during the show.