faded; fading
1
: to lose freshness, strength, or vitality : wither
fading flowers
2
: to lose freshness or brilliance of color
The fabrics faded in the strong sunshine.
3
: to sink away : vanish
a fading memory
The smile faded from his face.
4
: to change gradually in loudness, strength, or visibility
—used of a motion-picture image or of an electronics signal and usually with in or out
One scene fades out as the next scene fades in.
The radio signal faded out as we got further away from the station.
5
of an automobile brake
: to lose braking power gradually
6
: to move back from the line of scrimmage
—used of a quarterback
7
of a ball or shot
: to move in a slight to moderate slice
: to cause to fade
time has not completely faded the humor of these verses—
G. H. Genzmer
G. H. Genzmer
fader
noun
1
a
: fade-out
b
: a gradual changing of one picture to another in a motion-picture or television sequence
2
: a fading of an automobile brake
3
: a slight to moderate and usually intentional slice in golf
4
: a hairstyle similar to a crew cut in which the hair on top of the head stands high
Examples of fade in a Sentence
Verb
The flowers were fading in the vase.
the fading light of late afternoon
She was fading fast from the effects of the pneumonia.
We watched the ship gradually fade from view as it sailed away.
The smile faded from his face.
Hopes for a quick end of the crisis are fading fast.
Their reasons for leaving have faded from memory.
He's trying to recapture the faded glory of his youth.
The band's popularity has faded in recent years.
The fabric will fade unless you protect it from the sunlight.
Noun
The movie ends with a fade to black.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Similarly, successful managers scale, while the unsuccessful fade.
—Mike Terwilliger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fade
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
When these fade, grab the pruners and gather more from the garden.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Similarly, successful managers scale, while the unsuccessful fade.
—Mike Terwilliger, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fade
Cite this Entry
“Fade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fade. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fade
1 of 2 verb
faded; fading
1
: to lose freshness or health
fading flowers
2
: to lose or cause to lose brightness of color
3
: to disappear gradually
a fading memory
4
: to change gradually in loudness or visibility
—used of a motion-picture image or of an electronics signal and usually with in or out
fade
2 of 2 noun
: a gradual changing of one picture to another in a motion-picture or television sequence
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