shades
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for shades, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Sunglasses (informal).
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Frequently asked questions
What does “shades” mean?
The word “shades” means sunglasses (informal). In plain terms, a casual word for sunglasses.
How do you pronounce “shades”?
“Shades” is pronounced shaydz (/ʃeɪdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “shades” in a sentence?
Here is “shades” used in a sentence: “He slipped on his shades before stepping outside.”
What part of speech is “shades”?
“Shades” is a noun.
Is “shades” a common word?
“Shades” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why are sunglasses called "shades"?
"Shades" is an informal name for sunglasses, and it simply reflects what they do: shade the eyes from bright sunlight. The word is casual rather than technical, which is why product packaging says "sunglasses" while everyday speech often says "shades".
Is "shades" too informal to use in writing?
"Shades" is informal, so in formal or technical writing "sunglasses" is the safer choice. In casual contexts — fiction, marketing copy, conversation — "shades" is fine and can sound relaxed or stylish.
Do you say "a shades" or "a pair of shades"?
Like "glasses", "scissors", and "trousers", "shades" in the sunglasses sense is a plural-only noun: say "a pair of shades" or simply "shades", never "a shades". It also takes a plural verb, as in "my shades are on the table".