shade

Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.uncountable

• The old oak tree gave shade in the heat of the day.
• Temps rose to a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius in the shade.

Something that blocks light, particularly in a window.countable

• Close the shade, please: it's too bright in here.

A variety of a color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint).countable

• I've painted my room in five lovely shades of pink and chartreuse.

A subtle variation in a concept.countablefigurativelyuncountable

• shades of meaning

An aspect that is reminiscent of something.countablefigurativelyin-plural

• shades of Groucho Marx

A very small degree of a quantity, or variety of meaningcountableuncountable

• That is a shade too close.

A ghost or specter; a spirit.countableliteraryuncountable

• Too long have I been haunted by that shade.
• The adventurer was attacked by a shade.

A postage stamp showing an obvious difference in colour/color to the original printing and needing a separate catalogue/catalog entry.countable

Subtle insults.uncountable

• throw shade
• Why did you paint your room chartreuse? No shade; I'm genuinely curious.

A cover around or above a light bulb, a lampshade.countable

• Lighting was unimaginative for the standard stock with naked tungsten filament bulbs and metal reflectors. However, all compartments had individual reading lights above the seats with attractive glass shades.

To shield (someone or something) from light.transitive

• The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.

To shield oneself from light.intransitiverare

• We shaded under a huge oak tree.

To alter slightly.transitive

• You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.
• Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.

To vary or approach something slightly, particularly in color.intransitive

• The hillside was bright green, shading towards gold in the drier areas.

To move slightly from one's normal fielding position.intransitive

• Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.

To darken, particularly in drawing.transitive

• I draw contours first, gradually shading in midtones and shadows.

To win by a narrow margin.

• Both parties claimed afterwards that their man did best in the debate, but an early opinion poll suggested Mr Cameron shaded it.

To reduce (a window) so that only its title bar is visible.transitive

To throw shade, to subtly insult someone.slangtransitive

• The lyrics have prompted headlines about her “shading” Musk with a “spicy dig”, but I reckon the guy got off lightly.

To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen.obsoletetransitive

• Ere in our own house I do shade my head.