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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Fade: Definition, Usage & Examples in English (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：lose color (fade)

fade 🔊

/feɪd/

To gradually lose color or brightness. Like a shirt that gets lighter after many washes.

Fade meaning illustrated by comparing vibrant and washed-out red fabric.

lose color 🔊

➕

/ˈluːz ˈkʌlər/

To lose intensity, vividness, or brightness of color over time, typically due to exposure to light, washing, or age.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'fader', meaning 'to lose color or vitality', ultimately from Latin 'vapidus' (tasteless).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a fabric dye that has FADED in the sun; the 'ADE' sounds like 'aid', but the color needed no aid to disappear.

📖 Example

The bright red poster on my wall has started to fade after being in the sun for a whole year. 🔊 The bright red poster on my wall has begun to lose its color after being exposed to sunlight for an entire year.

🔗 Collocations

fade away – to gradually disappear or become less distinct

sun-faded – having lost color due to exposure to sunlight

color fades – the process where a color loses its intensity

🔄 Synonyms

bleach (v.) – to make or become white or colorless by exposure to sunlight or chemicals.

wash out (v.) – (of a color) to become less bright, especially after being washed.

discolor (v.) – to change to a different, usually less attractive, color.

🚫 Antonyms

brighten (v.) – to make or become more light or colorful.

deepen (v.) – (of a color) to become darker or more intense.

🌱 Derivatives

faded (adj.) – having lost freshness or brilliance of color.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English in the late 14th century from Anglo-French, describing the loss of vitality or color. It gained prominence in photography ('fade-out') and film editing in the 20th century, becoming a standard technical term for a gradual transition to or from a blank screen.

Meaning 2：diminish gradually (fade)

fade 🔊

/feɪd/

To gradually become less clear, strong, or noticeable. Like a sound getting softer or a memory becoming vague.

Fade concept shown by sound waves diminishing in intensity and clarity.

diminish gradually 🔊

➕

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ ˈɡrædʒuəli/

To become weaker, less distinct, or less noticeable in intensity, strength, or clarity.

📁 Category：Social Roles, Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The loud cheers from the stadium began to fade as we walked further away from it. 🔊 The intense cheering noise from the stadium started to grow softer and less distinct as we increased our distance from it.

🔗 Collocations

fade into the background – to become inconspicuous or unnoticed

fading memory – a memory that is becoming less clear or vivid

hope fades – hope gradually diminishes or disappears

🔄 Synonyms

diminish (v.) – to make or become less.

weaken (v.) – to make or become less strong or intense.

wane (v.) – to decrease in vigor, power, or extent; to approach an end.

🚫 Antonyms

intensify (v.) – to become or make more intense.

amplify (v.) – to increase the strength or amount of, especially sound.

🌱 Derivatives

fade-out (n.) – a gradual disappearance, especially in film, television, or sound.