grey
- 01 A1 Beginner
adj.having the colour of smoke or a cloudy sky.
adj.of an achromatic colour intermediate between black and white.
Simple“The cat had soft grey fur and bright green eyes.”
In context“The concrete facade of the building appeared particularly grey and imposing against the backdrop of the winter sky.”
UsageStandard spelling in British English and most Commonwealth nations.
PitfallThe sky was gray in London. The sky was grey in London.While both are correct, 'grey' is the standard spelling in British English, while 'gray' is standard in American English.
- 02 A2 Elementary
adj.having hair that has turned white or silver because of age.
adj.having hair that has lost its pigment, typically due to the aging process.
Simple“My father started going grey when he was only thirty years old.”
In context“Although he was relatively young, the stress of the position had left him noticeably grey at the temples.”
Synonymshoarysilver haired - 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.boring, sad, or without any bright features.
adj.characterised by a lack of interest, spirit, or cheer; dismal and monotonous.
Simple“It was a grey, rainy afternoon with nothing fun to do.”
In context“The novel depicts the grey, repetitive existence of a clerk working in a vast bureaucracy during the mid-twentieth century.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
n.the actual colour between black and white.
n.an achromatic colour intermediate between black and white; a neutral hue.
Simple“She dressed entirely in grey to look professional for the interview.”
In context“The artist used various shades of grey to create a sense of depth and shadow without using any actual pigment.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to become grey, especially when talking about hair or the sky.
v.to become grey or to cause something to become grey; often used intransitively regarding hair or weather.
Simple“As the sun went down, the sky began to grey.”
In context“The population of the island has continued to grey as younger residents move to the mainland for work.”