# shades

/ˈʃeɪdz/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪdz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shades
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. sunglasses

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a common word for sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sun.

For teachers: a colloquial term for sunglasses. Plurale tantum — always used in the plural form.

- Don't forget your shades; the sun is really bright on the water today.
- He pulled on a pair of expensive designer shades before stepping out of the car into the flash of the paparazzi cameras.

Usage: Always plural; used with plural verbs like 'are' or 'were'.

### 2. dark areas or colors

noun · CEFR A2

areas that are dark because the sun is blocked, or different versions of a color.

For teachers: plural form of shade; refers to multiple areas of darkness or various gradations of a specific hue.

- The artist used many different shades of green to paint the forest.
- The garden was a patchwork of light and shades, with the tall oaks casting long patterns across the lawn.

### 3. to block light

verb · CEFR B1

to block the light from something or to make a part of a drawing darker.

For teachers: third-person singular present of 'shade'; to screen from light or to create a darkening effect in an artistic medium.

- The large tree shades the entire patio during the hottest part of the afternoon.
- The architect designed a series of louvres that shades the glass facade, reducing the building's cooling requirements during the summer months.

## Examples

- Don't forget your shades; it's very bright outside.
- He pulled on his shades and leaned back in the beach chair, ready for a long afternoon in the sun.
- 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.

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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.