An Encylopedia Britannica Company

February 01, 2020 Word of the Day

fade /ˈfeɪd/ verb
fade
/ˈfeɪd/
verb

fades; faded; fading

Man wearing faded and torn jeans
Man wearing faded and torn jeans
Definition of FADE

1 a [no object] : to lose strength or freshness

  • The flowers were fading in the vase.

: to become weaker

  • the fading light of late afternoon

  • She was fading fast from the effects of the pneumonia.

  • Her hearing gradually faded (away) as she grew older.

  • His voice faded off into a whisper. = His voice faded to a whisper.

1 b [no object] : to disappear gradually

  • We watched the ship gradually fade from view as it sailed away.

  • The smile faded from his face.

  • Hopes for a quick end of the crisis are fading fast.

  • Their reasons for leaving have faded from memory.

  • He's trying to recapture the faded glory of his youth.

  • The band's popularity has faded in recent years.

2 : to become less bright : to lose color

[no object]

  • The fabric will fade unless you protect it from the sunlight.

  • The colors of the photograph have faded with time.

[+ object]

  • Exposure to the elements has faded the car's finish.

  • blue jeans faded by wear

  • She was wearing faded blue jeans.

3 [no object] : to change gradually in loudness, strength, or appearance — used to describe a radio signal, a picture in a movie, etc.

  • As the hero rides into the sunset, the screen fades to black. [=the image gradually changes until the screen is completely black]

— often + in or out

  • One scene fades out as the next fades in.

  • The radio signal faded out as we got further from the station.

  • The sound of her voice gradually faded out.

More Words of the Day