fade (f d)v. fad·ed, fad·ing, fades v.intr.1. To lose brightness, loudness, or brilliance gradually; dim: The lights and music faded as we set sail from the harbor. 2. To lose freshness; wither: summer flowers that had faded. 3. To lose strength or vitality; wane: youthful energy that had faded over the years. 4. To disappear gradually; vanish: a hope that faded. See Synonyms at disappear. 5. Sports To swerve from a straight course, especially in the direction of a slice. 6. Football To move back from the line of scrimmage. Used of a quarterback. v.tr.1. To cause to lose brightness, freshness, or strength: Exposure to sunlight has faded the carpet. 2. Sports To hit (a golf ball, for instance) with a moderate, usually controlled slice. 3. Games To meet the bet of (an opposing player) in dice. n.1. A gradual diminution or increase in the brightness or visibility of an image in cinema or television. 2. A periodic reduction in the received strength of a radio transmission. 3. Sports A moderate, usually controlled slice, as in golf. Phrasal Verbs: fade in1. To appear gradually. 2. To cause to appear or be heard gradually. Used of a cinematic or television image or of a sound. fade out1. To disappear gradually. 2. To cause to disappear gradually. Used of a cinematic or television image or of a sound.
[Middle English faden, from Old French fader, from fade, faded, probably from Vulgar Latin *fatidus, alteration of Latin fatuus, insipid.] |