noun
Common
shades
shaydz
Shades (noun) means Sunglasses (informal). Example: “It was so bright that she reached into her bag for her shades.”
noun
1
Sunglasses (informal).
"It was so bright that she reached into her bag for her shades."
"He looked cool at the beach in his mirrored shades."
"“Everyone needs one pair of shades with a print.”"
— Lauren Caruso and Jillian Tracy, The 22 best sunglasses for summer, according to style experts (2023)
"He slipped on his shades before stepping outside."
"His shades are by some famous designer."
How to use shades
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual word for sunglasses.
When to use it
Informal — "sunglasses" is the neutral term.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shades.
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
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was so bright that she reached into her bag for her _____.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shades
See all rhymes for shades →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".
