Word
faded
Phoneticsfad·ed, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfeɪdəd/
UK/fˈeɪdɪd/
Definitions
01lost colour
B1 · Intermediate
adj. having lost its original bright colour or brightness over time.
adj. having lost vividness, brightness, or saturation, typically due to age or exposure to light.
“The old curtains were faded after hanging in the sunny window for years.”
“The photograph was so faded that the faces of her ancestors were barely more than ghostly outlines against the yellowed paper.”
Synonyms
02lost strength
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. weaker or less clear than it used to be.
adj. having lost original strength, vigour, or clarity; often used figuratively for memories or reputations.
“He still had a faded scar on his knee from a childhood accident.”
“The faded glory of the once-grand hotel was evident in the peeling wallpaper and the dusty chandeliers of the ballroom.”
Synonyms
03intoxicated
C1 · Advanced Slang · American English · Informal
adj. feeling very high on drugs or very drunk.
adj. experiencing a state of significant intoxication from drugs or alcohol. This sense is highly informal and common in youth culture.
“They stayed up late and got faded at the party.”
“By the time the sun came up, half the guests were completely faded and asleep on the living room floor.”
Teaching tip
This sense is very common in modern hip-hop and pop culture; however, it is inappropriate for professional or academic settings.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“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.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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