fade

USAGE SUMMARY

'fade' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb, an adjective, or a noun. For example: Verb: The sun slowly faded beneath the horizon. Adjective: The faded colors of the painting reminded me of its age. Noun: My faded jeans were a reminder of days spent in the sun.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The human rights organisations who wrote the blueprint say parliamentarians must not let that momentum fade.

The Guardian

Then there was also bits that made me eager to find out more such as where it says, "watch the triangles in his eyes fade to nothing as I taste him and swallow his heart".

The Guardian

I think the more new friends I make and people I follow, the more the bad memories of the old life will fade.

The Guardian - Tech

They obey every rule of good jeans: medium-rise waist; straight leg; slim-ish but not skinny; raw, indigo denim (it'll fade); absolutely no branding, or unnecessary stitching, or rips, or diamanté.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These weren't emotions I would have predicted, given who he was, and the impact he had had on my life, but, this was late in the 1970s, and by then his audience had dwindled and his charisma had begun to fade.

The Guardian

Sinn Féin, having allowed the IRA to wither away and memories of the Troubles to fade, has stolen the party's clothes in a dramatic act of political cross-dressing.

The Guardian

Labour and the Tories would be naive to cast all this aside as a series of protest votes that will fade away – and to ignore the divides that define the country, battling instead to occupy a political space that is rapidly shrinking.

The Guardian

Memories and newsprint fade, but decades-old allegations are often among the first things to appear when a name is searched.

The Guardian - Tech

"One of the most powerful processes of grief or disappointment is the fact that our memories fade with time but digital evidence can keep us frozen in a period," says Cleret.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Green leader was humiliated last Tuesday during an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari, when she experienced what she later described as a "mind blank" and "brain fade".

The Guardian

The number of surveyors reporting rising house prices fell to its lowest level in 19 months in December as buyer demand continued to fade, according to the latest data to show a slowdown in the UK housing market.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fade" to evoke a sense of impermanence or the passage of time, enriching the narrative or descriptive text.

Common error

Avoid confusing "fade", which means to gradually disappear, with "faze", which means to disturb or disconcert. For example, use "The sound began to fade" instead of "The sound began to faze".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fade" is a verb, indicating a process of gradually losing strength, color, or intensity. It can also function as a noun, referring to a gradual decrease or a specific type of haircut. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fade" is a versatile word primarily functioning as a verb to describe a gradual decline or disappearance, but also used as a noun in specific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly employed in various settings, including news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating a neutral register. Common errors include confusing it with "faze". To avoid this, remember that "fade" signifies a gradual loss, while "faze" means to disconcert. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "fade" to convey a sense of diminishing presence or effect in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish

Implies a reduction in size, extent, or degree; less focused on visual aspects.

wane

Suggests a decline in power, influence, or extent, often over a period of time.

dissipate

Indicates a scattering or gradual disappearance, often referring to something intangible.

evaporate

Implies a complete disappearance, like a liquid turning into vapor; suggests a swift vanishing.

peter out

Signifies a gradual decrease to the point of termination or exhaustion.

dwindle

Suggests a gradual reduction in number or amount.

ebb

Describes a receding or decline, often used in the context of tides or emotions.

decline

Indicates a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

wither

Implies a loss of vitality and freshness, often referring to plants but applicable to other things.

recede

Indicates a moving back or away, suggesting a decrease in proximity or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "fade" in a sentence?

"Fade" can be used in various contexts, such as describing a color losing its vibrancy, a sound diminishing, or a memory becoming less clear. For instance, "The sunlight made the curtains "fade"" or "Her anger began to "fade" away".

What are some synonyms for "fade"?

Alternatives to "fade" include "diminish", "wane", "dissipate", "evaporate", and "peter out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "fade" and "faze"?

"Fade" means to gradually disappear or lose intensity, while "faze" means to disturb or disconcert. They have entirely different meanings and should not be interchanged. For example, "The image will "fade" with time", not "The image will faze with time".

When is it appropriate to use "fade away"?

"Fade away" is often used to describe something that gradually disappears or loses importance. For example, "The initial excitement began to "fade away" after a few weeks".