faded

[ fey-did ]

adjective

1. having lost brightness, intensity, volume, etc., as of light, color, or sound:

   She was wearing a faded polyester skirt.

2. having lost freshness, vigor, strength, or health:

   Regular removal of faded flowers is often needed to keep annuals blooming.

3. having gradually disappeared or died out:

   The movie’s main theme is the resuscitation of faded love.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of fade ( def ).

Other Words From

• fad·ed·ly adverb
• fad·ed·ness noun
• un·fad·ed adjective
• well-fad·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of faded¹

fade ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

In Coralie Fargeat’s blood-soaked fable about fear and self-loathing in Hollywood, Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded star who submits to a back-alley rejuvenation regime to reset her career.

From Los Angeles Times

During McCausland's dance on Saturday, he placed his hands over partner Dianne Buswell's eyes as the room faded to black.

From BBC

The performance saw the comedian place his hands over Buswell's eyes as the room faded to black.

From BBC

Dressed in faded denim hotpants, a leopard-print bra, with a tattoo snaking up her stomach and across her chest, the 3D computer-generated image reaches out and appears to knock on the window to attract attention.

From BBC

Each walk spans the length of an iconic L.A. boulevard, trekking about 14 to 16 miles and stopping along the way to explore its sun-scorched sidewalks and faded public murals, its high-end furniture boutiques, cheap motels and historic churches, its food carts piled high with fresh fruit and its buzzing freeway overpasses — from below.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• run down
• seedy
• shabby
• tacky
• tattered
• threadbare
• worn