What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disappear
Example
The magician made the rabbit disappear. [disappear: verb]
Example
The missing person disappeared without a trace. [disappeared: past participle]
Example
The sun disappeared behind the clouds. [disappeared: past tense]
fade
Example
The colors of the painting have started to fade. [fade: verb]
Example
The sound of the music faded away as we walked further from the concert. [faded: past tense]
Example
The memories of my childhood are fading with time. [fading: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disappear is more commonly used than fade in everyday language, especially when referring to people or physical objects. Fade is more often used in artistic or creative contexts, such as describing colors or sounds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disappear and fade?
Both disappear and fade are versatile and can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
