# shading

/ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪdɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shading
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the dark parts of a drawing or picture that show where the light is blocked. You use it to make objects look solid and three-dimensional.

For teachers: the representation of different values of light and dark in a two-dimensional image to create the illusion of depth or volume.

## Examples

- The artist used careful shading to make the ball look round.
- By adding subtle shading under the jawline, the portrait painter successfully gave the face a sense of structure and weight.
- The architect's sketch relied on cross-hatched shading to distinguish between the solid concrete walls and the transparent glass panels of the proposed atrium.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the context of visual arts or digital rendering; can be used countably when referring to specific techniques.

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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.