fades; faded; fading
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.