Shades: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to a variation of a color made by adding black to it. Often used in the context of art, fashion, or describing visual elements.

• She prefers darker shades of blue for her living room.
• The painter experimented with different shades to create depth.

Refers to a variation of a color achieved by adding gray. Often used in discussions about color theory, art, and design.

• The artist used different tones of brown to create a realistic landscape.
• Interior designers often focus on tones to create a cohesive look.

Refers to a variation of a color made by adding white to it. This term is often used in the contexts of art, painting, and interior design.

• She chose a tint of green for the baby's room.
• The designer added tints of pink to the project to soften the overall look.

General term for any hue, including primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. It can be used in a wide range of situations, including art, design, fashion, and everyday conversation.

• What are your favorite colors?
• The artist mixed various colors to create a new palette.

Typically used to refer to different variations of colors, often when talking about art, design, or fashion. Can also refer to window coverings.

• She chose different shades of blue for her painting.
• The living room has shades to block out the sunlight.

Used in more technical or formal discussions, often to describe the gradual transition between colors or tones.

• The artist used a smooth gradation to blend the colors.
• The photo shows a beautiful gradation from light to dark.

Refers to a color that has been lightened by adding white. Often used in art and design to describe light variations of a color.

• She added a bit of white to create a lighter tint of purple.
• The walls were painted in a soft tint of green.

Commonly used in artistic and design contexts to describe the main attribute of a color or a particular shade of a color.

• Adjust the hue to get the perfect color for the background.
• The painter is known for using vibrant hues in her work.