faded
- 01 B1 Intermediate
having lost its original bright colour or brightness over time.
having lost vividness, brightness, or saturation, typically due to age or exposure to light.
Simple“The old curtains were faded after hanging in the sunny window for years.”
In context“The photograph was so faded that the faces of her ancestors were barely more than ghostly outlines against the yellowed paper.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
weaker or less clear than it used to be.
having lost original strength, vigour, or clarity; often used figuratively for memories or reputations.
Simple“He still had a faded scar on his knee from a childhood accident.”
In context“The faded glory of the once-grand hotel was evident in the peeling wallpaper and the dusty chandeliers of the ballroom.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
feeling very high on drugs or very drunk.
experiencing a state of significant intoxication from drugs or alcohol. This sense is highly informal and common in youth culture.
Simple“They stayed up late and got faded at the party.”
In context“By the time the sun came up, half the guests were completely faded and asleep on the living room floor.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is very common in modern hip-hop and pop culture; however, it is inappropriate for professional or academic settings.
“As the light slowly faded in Tarragona, on the Mediterranean coast, a crowd looked on in almost reverent silence as the orange, late-afternoon glow gave way to almost complete darkness.”
“Now in their mid-20s, and parents of a five-year-old, they live in a grotty flat in a Scottish new town – the faded posters read “Happiness, Here” – that has crumbled into decay.”