shade
English meaning: Shade
Definition
An area that is darker and cooler because something blocks the sunlight. It can also mean a small difference in color.
Example
“We sat in the shade of a large tree.”
Another example: “We sat in the shade of a large oak tree to escape the heat.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A versatile word: the cool dark area where light is blocked, a slight variation in colour, or a small degree ('a shade better'). As a verb it means to block light or to colour with pencil. In US slang, 'throwing shade' means subtly insulting someone.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'sceadu' (shade, shadow).
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
Related Words
- intolerant
- tolerant
- dorsum
- costal
- clinched
- fuscous
- sunlight
- paler
- pale
- tolerate
- shades
- darker
Common Collocations
- in the shade
- provide shade
- a shade of blue
- shade of meaning
- shade your eyes
Word Forms
shade (n); shades (pl); shade (v); shaded; shading
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B