What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vanishing
Example
The rainforest is home to many vanishing species. [vanishing: adjective]
Example
The magician made the rabbit vanish from the hat. [vanish: verb]
fading
Example
The colors of the sunset were fading into the horizon. [fading: present participle]
Example
The memory of that day is slowly fading away. [fading: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fading is more commonly used than vanishing in everyday language. Fading is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while vanishing is less common and often used in specific contexts such as environmental issues or magic tricks.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vanishing and fading?
Both vanishing and fading are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.