grey

Pluralgreys, Greys

Formsgreys, greying, greyed

1. 1
   colour of thingsadjective

   Of the colour you get when you mix black and white.

   He wore a grey jumper to school.

   This paint is greyer than the one we used on the door.

   UsageSay greyer and greyest. In America it is usually spelt gray.

2. 2
   the colour itselfnouncountable or uncountable

   The colour that is between black and white.

   Grey is my favourite colour for winter coats.

   The artist mixed several greys for the stormy sky.

   UsageSay someone is dressed in grey.

3. 3
   uncertainadjective

   Not clearly defined, or not clearly right or wrong, good or bad.

   Using phones in class is a bit of a grey area at our school.

   Buying tickets from that website is a bit grey: it isn't really allowed, but nobody stops you.

   UsageMost often a grey area: something unclear or hard to put into one category.

   Similarunclear, ambiguous, murky, blurred

   Oppositeclear, clear-cut, definite

4. 4
   gloomyadjective

   Dull and gloomy, like a cloudy day, or like a place or time that feels sad.

   It was another grey Monday morning in November.

   The seaside looks even greyer in winter.

   Similardull, dreary, gloomy, overcast, drab

   Oppositebright, sunny, cheerful

5. 5
   animalnouncountable

   An animal or thing that is grey, such as a grey horse or a grey whale.

   She rode a beautiful grey at the pony show.

   The farmer keeps two greys and a chestnut in the top field.

6. 6
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To become grey, or to make something grey.

   My dad's hair started to grey when he was forty.

   Years of smoke had greyed the white kitchen ceiling.

   UsageMostly about hair. You can also say hair goes grey.

   Similarsilver

7. 7
   adjective

   Having grey or white hair, or being old.

   My grandad went grey in his fifties.

   She's gone a bit greyer since the twins were born.

   UsageSay someone went grey or is going grey.

   Similargrizzled, silver-haired, white-haired, elderly

   Oppositeyoung

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