adj

gray

adj

Having a color between black and white, like the color of clouds or ash.

"The sky turned gray just before the storm."

"He had gone completely gray by his fifties."

Dull, dreary, or gloomy.

"It was a gray, miserable Monday morning."

verb

To become gray, especially of hair.

"His hair began to gray in his late thirties."

How to Use Gray

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe color between black and white; also used for dull weather or graying hair.

UK vs US

American English generally prefers "gray"; British English generally prefers "grey" — both are correct and widely understood in either country.

Easily confused with

grey →

Common pairings

gray hair gray sky shades of gray

Word Forms

grayer comparative, more gray comparative, grayed past tense, grays plural, grays plural, grays singular, grayest superlative, most gray superlative

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The sky turned _____ just before the storm.

Etymology

From Old English grǣġ, the West Saxon form; the alternate spelling "grey" comes from the Anglian form. Related to an ancient root meaning "to grow" or "to become green".

Rhymes for gray

ay may day say ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay

See all rhymes for gray →