# faded

/ˈfeɪdəd/ (US) · /fˈeɪdɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/faded
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. lost colour

adjective · CEFR B1

having lost its original bright colour or brightness over time.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. lost strength

adjective · CEFR B2

weaker or less clear than it used to be.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. intoxicated

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English · Informal

feeling very high on drugs or very drunk.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He looked completely faded after the party ended.
- They stayed up until dawn and got so faded they couldn't remember how they got home.
- The lyrics often describe the hollow feeling of getting faded every weekend to escape the pressures of a demanding career.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.