fade
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to lose brightness or color, usually because of age or sunlight.
v.to lose freshness, color, or brightness gradually over time.
Simple“The blue curtains started to fade after hanging in the sunny window for years.”
In context“The vibrant pigments in the tapestry had begun to fade, leaving only a ghostly suggestion of the original scene.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to become weaker or quieter until something disappears completely.
v.to diminish in intensity, volume, or visibility until no longer perceptible.
Simple“The sound of the car engine slowly faded as it drove down the road.”
In context“As the sun dipped below the horizon, the last remnants of daylight faded into a deep purple twilight.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a hairstyle where the hair is very short on the sides and longer on top.
n.a haircut characterized by a gradual transition from short or shaved hair at the neckline to longer hair on the crown.
Simple“He went to the barber to get a fresh fade before the wedding.”
In context“The barber demonstrated a high-taper fade, meticulously blending the hair to create a seamless transition from skin to length.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a slow change where a picture or sound gets darker or quieter.
n.a gradual change in the intensity of an image or the volume of an audio signal.
Simple“The song ends with a long fade so the next track can start smoothly.”
In context“The director opted for a slow fade to black to emphasize the somber mood of the final scene.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
v.to bet against another person in a game of chance.
v.to accept or cover a bet in gambling, particularly in dice games or sports betting.
Simple“I decided to fade his bet because I didn't think he had a good hand.”
In context“Experienced gamblers often fade the public's favorite team when the betting lines become too inflated by emotional bias.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and takes the person or the bet as its object.
Synonymsbet againstcounter - 06 C2 Proficiency
n.a physical fight or a serious argument.
n.a physical confrontation or altercation.
Simple“He was acting tough and looked like he wanted to catch a fade.”
In context“The tension in the club was palpable, with several groups looking ready to catch a fade over the slightest provocation.”
Teacher's tipCommonly used in the phrase 'catch a fade', meaning to get into a fight or be beaten up.
“As the singing fades, Tida Fofana moves closer to the women around her.”
“The electricity demand for cooling peaks on still, hot evenings - just as the wind drops and solar fades, leaving gas to supply the extra energy.”
From Middle English fade, vad, vade (“faded, pale, withered, weak”), from Middle Dutch vade (“weak, faint, limp”), from Old French fade (“weak, witless”), of obscure origin. Probably from Vulgar Latin *fatidus, from Latin fatuus (“insipid”).
From Middle English fade, fede, of uncertain origin. Compare Old English ġefæd (“orderly, tidy, discreet, well-regulated”). See also fad.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.