shade
shayd
Shade (noun) means an area of relative darkness where direct sunlight is blocked. Example: “The dog lay panting in the shade beside the garden shed.”
noun
1
An area of relative darkness where direct sunlight is blocked.
"The dog lay panting in the shade beside the garden shed."
"We moved our chairs into the shade because the sun was too hot."
"They set up their picnic in the shade of a large oak tree."
2
A particular variation of a color.
"I cannot decide between a pale shade of green and a darker one."
"The lipstick comes in several shades of red."
"She painted the wall a soft shade of blue."
3
A subtly insulting remark (often "throw shade").
"She threw shade at her old team in a post online."
"Stop throwing shade every time I mention my new job!"
"The comedian threw shade at his rival during the interview."
verb
1
To block or shield from light.
"Tall trees shade the path from the afternoon sun."
"He shaded his eyes with his hand and looked into the distance."
"A wide-brimmed hat shaded her eyes from the sun."
How to use shade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn area out of direct sun, a variation of a color, or (slang) a sly insult.
Memory tip
"Throw shade" is modern slang meaning to insult someone subtly or disrespectfully.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
in the shade
a shade of blue
throw shade
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Word forms
- Plural
- shades
- Third person singular
- shades
- Past tense
- shaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog lay panting in the _____ beside the garden shed.
Etymology
From Old English sceadu, "shade, shadow, darkness" — a doublet of the word shadow.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for shade
See all rhymes for shade →Frequently asked questions
What does “shade” mean?
The word “shade” means an area of relative darkness where direct sunlight is blocked. In plain terms, an area out of direct sun, a variation of a color, or (slang) a sly insult.
How do you pronounce “shade”?
“Shade” is pronounced shayd (/ʃeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “shade” in a sentence?
Here is “shade” used in a sentence: “They set up their picnic in the shade of a large oak tree.”
What part of speech is “shade”?
Depending on how it is used, “shade” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shade” come from?
The word “shade” comes from Old English. From Old English sceadu, "shade, shadow, darkness" — a doublet of the word shadow.
Is “shade” a common word?
“Shade” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “shade” have?
“Shade” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area of relative darkness where direct sunlight is blocked.
What is the difference between "shade" and "shadow"?
"Shade" is a general area of relative darkness where direct sunlight is blocked, such as sitting in the shade of a tree. A "shadow" is the specific dark shape cast by a particular object blocking the light.
What is the difference between a "shade" and a "tint" of a color?
In color terms, a "shade" is a variation of a color, typically a darker version made by adding black. A "tint" is the lighter version, usually made by adding white.
What is the difference between "shade" and "hue"?
A "hue" is the pure color itself, such as red or blue. A "shade" is a particular variation of that color, giving a more specific tone within the same family.
Can "shade" mean both darkness and a color?
Yes. "Shade" can mean an area of relative darkness where sunlight is blocked, and it can also mean a particular variation of a color, such as a lighter or darker shade of green.
