adj
Uncommon
faded
FAY-dihd
Faded (adj) means having lost its original brightness or colour. Example: “She wore a pair of faded jeans.”
adj
1
Having lost its original brightness or colour.
"She wore a pair of faded jeans."
"The faded photograph was barely recognizable."
"The faded curtains had been hanging in the window for years."
2
Having lost former strength or intensity.
"His once-faded ambition returned when the new job offer came in."
"The faded glory of the old theatre made him feel sad."
"After years away, her faded enthusiasm for painting finally came back."
How to use faded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDulled or worn down from what it used to be, in colour or in strength.
Common pairings
faded jeans
faded memory
faded glory
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like faded.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more faded
- Superlative
- most faded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a pair of _____ jeans.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for faded
See all rhymes for faded →Frequently asked questions
What does “faded” mean?
The word “faded” means having lost its original brightness or colour. In plain terms, dulled or worn down from what it used to be, in colour or in strength.
How do you pronounce “faded”?
“Faded” is pronounced FAY-dihd (/ˈfeɪdɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “faded” in a sentence?
Here is “faded” used in a sentence: “She wore a pair of faded jeans.”
What part of speech is “faded”?
“Faded” is an adjective.
Is “faded” a common word?
“Faded” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “faded” have?
“Faded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having lost its original brightness or colour.
What is the difference between faded and fading?
Faded is an adjective describing something that has already lost its original brightness, colour, or intensity, indicating a completed state. Fading describes an ongoing process still in progress, such as fading light at dusk, rather than a finished result.
Can faded describe things other than colour?
Yes, faded can describe anything that has lost its former strength or intensity, such as faded memories, faded hopes, or a faded reputation, not just physical colour. This extends the literal sense of lost brightness to abstract qualities.
What is a common collocation with faded?
Common collocations include faded jeans, faded photograph, and faded glory, all describing something that has visibly lost its original vividness or condition over time.
