What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grayed
Example
His hair has grayed significantly over the years. [grayed: verb]
Example
The old photograph had been grayed with age. [grayed: adjective]
Example
The once-bustling town had grayed into a ghost town. [grayed: verb]
fade
Example
The colors of the sunset began to fade as the night approached. [fade: verb]
Example
The ink on the old document had faded, making it difficult to read. [faded: adjective]
Example
The popularity of the once-trendy fashion style had faded away. [fade: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fade is more commonly used than grayed in everyday language. Fade is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grayed is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grayed and fade?
Both grayed and fade are relatively informal words, but grayed may be slightly more formal due to its less common usage and association with physical appearance or objects.