shade
noun
1. relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
- it is much cooler in the shade
Similar word(s): shadiness, shadowiness
Definition categories: state, semidarkness
2. a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
- after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted
Similar word(s): tincture, tint, tone
Definition categories: attribute, color, coloring, colour, colouring
3. protective covering that protects something from direct sunlight
- they used umbrellas as shades
- as the sun moved he readjusted the shade
Definition categories: man–made, protection
4. a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
- don't argue about shades of meaning
Similar word(s): nicety, nuance, refinement, subtlety
Definition categories: communication, import, meaning, significance, signification
5. a position of relative inferiority
- an achievement that puts everything else in the shade
- his brother's success left him in the shade
Definition categories: state, inferiority
6. a slight amount or degree of difference
- the new model is a shade better than the old one
Similar word(s): tad
Definition categories: quantity
7. a mental representation of some haunting experience
Similar word(s): ghost, specter, spectre, spook, wraith
Definition categories: thought, apparition, fantasm, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, shadow
8. a representation of the effect of shadows in a picture or drawing (as by shading or darker pigment)
Definition categories: man–made, representation
9. a protective ornamental covering for a lamp, used to screen a light bulb from direct view
Similar word(s): lampshade
Definition categories: man–made, protection
Sentences with shade as a noun:
- The old oak tree gave shade in the heat of the day.
- Close the shade, please: it's too bright in here.
- I've painted my room in five lovely shades of pink and chartreuse.
- shades of meaning
- shades of Groucho
- Too long have I been haunted by that shade.
- He was attacked by a shade.
verb
1. cast a shadow over
Similar word(s): shadow
Definition categories: weather, darken
2. represent the effect of shade or shadow on
Definition categories: creation, paint, draw
3. protect from light, heat, or view
- Shade your eyes when you step out into the bright sunlight
Definition categories: contact, screen
4. vary slightly
- shade the meaning
Definition categories: change, alter, modify
5. pass from one quality such as color to another by a slight degree
- the butterfly wings shade to yellow
Definition categories: change
Sentences with shade as a verb:
- The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.
- You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.
- Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.
- Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.
- Both parties claimed afterwards that their man did best in the debate, but an early opinion poll suggested Mr Cameron shaded it.