adjective

faded

/ˈfeɪdɪd/ · say it: FAY·did

having lost brightness or color

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) having become pale or less bright in color

2. (adjective) having become weaker or less noticeable over time

Examples

1. The old photograph has faded colors after years in the sun.
2. Her enthusiasm for the project slowly faded as the deadline approached.

How to use faded

Faded describes something that has lost intensity—either in color or in strength/relevance—over a period of time. It often suggests a gradual, natural process rather than deliberate action. The word is common in both literal contexts (clothing, photographs) and figurative ones (memories, emotions, influence).

Common phrases

faded jeans
faded memory
faded colors
faded away
faded into the background

Synonyms

pale · bleached · washed-out · dulled · diminished

Opposites

vibrant · bright · vivid

Word family

fade (verb) · fadedly (adverb) · fading (adjective/noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'faded' as a simple past tense (e.g., 'The color faded away yesterday') when they should use the verb 'fade'; remember that 'faded' as an adjective describes the current state, not the action itself.

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