ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shades

n. C / U
A2 Elementary US //ˈʃeɪdz// UK //ʃˈeɪdz// shades Informal

n. a pair of sunglasses. You use this word when you want to sound more casual or cool.

n. a pair of spectacles with tinted lenses designed to protect the eyes from sunlight. Informal in register; almost exclusively used in the plural form.


SIMPLE

Don't forget your shades; it's very bright outside.

CONTEXTUAL

He pulled on his shades and leaned back in the beach chair, ready for a long afternoon in the sun.

COMPLEX

The actor attempted to maintain a low profile by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and dark shades, though his distinctive gait eventually gave him away to the waiting photographers.

Synonyms
Usage

Plural noun when referring to sunglasses; uncountable when referring to darkness or shadows.

Pitfall

I bought a new shadeI bought new shadesWhen referring to sunglasses, the word must be plural; the singular form refers to a color or a dark area.

Idioms1 entry

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