noun

lampshade

LAMP-shayd

Lampshade (noun) means a cover placed over a light bulb to soften or direct the light and prevent glare. Example: “She picked out a cream lampshade to match the curtains.”

noun

A cover placed over a light bulb to soften or direct the light and prevent glare.

"She picked out a cream lampshade to match the curtains."

verb

In storytelling, to draw attention to something unlikely or clichéd in the plot, often as a joke, rather than trying to hide it.

"The film lampshades its own absurd plot twist with a wink to the audience."

How to use lampshade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, the cover over a lamp; in writing and film criticism, calling attention to a plot hole on purpose instead of ignoring it.

Common pairings

lampshade a plot hole hang a lampshade on

Word forms

lampshaded past tense, lampshades plural, lampshades singular

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She picked out a cream _____ to match the curtains.

Etymology

From "lamp" + "shade." The storytelling sense is a 21st-century coinage, referencing the idiom "hanging a lampshade on it" — making an awkward element more visible rather than less.

· First attested 2000

Class of 2000 lampshade joined the language around 2000.

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Synonyms

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lamp shade

Rhymes for lampshade

Ade made jade wade fade sade Bade Cade Dade trade blade spade

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lampshade” mean?

The word “lampshade” means a cover placed over a light bulb to soften or direct the light and prevent glare. In plain terms, literally, the cover over a lamp; in writing and film criticism, calling attention to a plot hole on purpose instead of ignoring it.

How do you pronounce “lampshade”?

“Lampshade” is pronounced LAMP-shayd (/ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “lampshade” in a sentence?

Here is “lampshade” used in a sentence: “She picked out a cream lampshade to match the curtains.”

What part of speech is “lampshade”?

Depending on how it is used, “lampshade” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lampshade” come from?

The word “lampshade” dates back to around 2000. From "lamp" + "shade." The storytelling sense is a 21st-century coinage, referencing the idiom "hanging a lampshade on it" — making an awkward element more visible rather than less.

How many meanings does “lampshade” have?

“Lampshade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cover placed over a light bulb to soften or direct the light and prevent glare.