gray
Also spelled grey (UK spelling)
Gray (adj) means having a color between black and white, like the color of clouds or ash. Example: “The sky turned gray just before the storm.”
How to use gray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe color between black and white; also used for dull weather or graying hair.
American English generally prefers "gray"; British English generally prefers "grey" — both are correct and widely understood in either country.
Word forms
- Singular
- grays
- Plural
- grays
- Past tense
- grayed
- Comparative
- grayer, more gray
- Superlative
- grayest, most gray
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Related words
Rhymes for gray
See all rhymes for gray →Frequently asked questions
What does “gray” mean?
The word “gray” means having a color between black and white, like the color of clouds or ash. In plain terms, the color between black and white; also used for dull weather or graying hair.
How do you pronounce “gray”?
“Gray” is pronounced gray (/ɡɹeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gray” in a sentence?
Here is “gray” used in a sentence: “The sky turned gray just before the storm.”
What part of speech is “gray”?
Depending on how it is used, “gray” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “gray” come from?
The word “gray” comes from Old English. 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".
Is “gray” a common word?
“Gray” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “gray” have?
“Gray” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a color between black and white, like the color of clouds or ash.
What is the difference between gray and grey?
There is no difference in meaning; both spellings describe the same color between black and white. 'Gray' is the standard American spelling, while 'grey' is preferred in British and most Commonwealth English. Choose one and use it consistently within a piece of writing.
What colors make gray?
Mixing black and white makes gray, and the ratio sets how light or dark it looks. More white gives a soft, pale gray; more black gives a deep, charcoal gray. You can also create gray by combining complementary colors, which mute each other into a neutral tone.
What does the color gray symbolize?
Gray often symbolizes neutrality, balance, and compromise, which is why 'a gray area' means something unclear or in between. It can also suggest sophistication and calm, or dullness, gloom, and age, depending on context. Its meaning shifts easily because it sits between the extremes of black and white.
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