Sunglasses ("shades") as related noun; the throwing-shade sense is metaphorical from this same root.
shade so profound that bluebells gleam like scales along mermaids' shining tails #haiku #poetry #forestshade #deprofundis #mermaidforest
A web of nerves lain upon a web of nerves lain upon a web of nerves. The shade of a beautiful beginning we can never return to.
Sunglasses ("shades") as related noun; the throwing-shade sense is metaphorical from this same root.
"Pass me my shades."
Add your own interpretation of "shade".
Head-to-head pages explaining the difference.
Slang from Black American Vernacular English (AAVE), hip-hop, drag and ballroom culture, the Caribbean, and NYC street vocabulary. The single largest source of new mainstream English slang in living memory.
See all Black culture & AAVE slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with S.
My goal in life is to have shade thrown at me by this cat Pres.
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In horticulture / weather: protected from direct sunlight. The slang sense plays on "casting shade" — putting something in shadow. Same metaphor.
"Sit in the shade, it's 35 degrees."
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As verb: to throw shade. To insult someone subtly. Strong cultural standard.
"She's been throwing shade at me all afternoon."
“A web of nerves lain upon a web of nerves lain upon a web of nerves. The shade of a beautiful beginning we can never return to.”
“My goal in life is to have shade thrown at me by this cat Pres.”
“I say this with zero shade in my heart! It just helps with bandwidth management 💖”
“Pretty shade, that hat looks very warm and cozy - an extra layer over the ears. I made a similar one for my son, plan on doing more for next winter as well.”
“If your favorite season is summer you don’t understand that the shade only cools bc of the very flame. You’re in the grip of maya and headed to pretahood. If it’s winter, the day of judgment will find your scholastic ass lacking in your heated temples. Spring/fall? Fucking normie”
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A subtle, witty insult. The art of shade is in saying something cutting without saying it directly. Originally from Black/Latino ballroom culture.
"She threw such shade in that interview."
Shade means: A subtle, witty insult. The art of shade is in saying something cutting without saying it directly. Originally from Black/Latino ballroom culture.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
shade means: A subtle, witty insult. The art of shade is in saying something cutting without saying it directly. Originally from Black/Latino ballroom culture.. Register: neutral, standard English. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
“shade so profound that bluebells gleam like scales along mermaids' shining tails #haiku #poetry #forestshade #deprofundis #mermaidforest”
“A damn sight better than my first attempt. You’ll get better results going forward if you shade the whole paper first.”
“Micah Parsons throws shade at Eagles fans as AJ Brown faces backlash after Makai Lemon draft”
“Ma'am respectfully, that's an enby and a lesbian. No shade! Just... get it right. #pokemon”
“well, Breath of the Wild taught me you can make ice in a cave in the desert, you just have to keep it in the shade as you transport it”
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