From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfadefade /feɪd/ ●●○ verb 1 [intransitive] (also fade away)DISAPPEAR to gradually disappear Hopes of a peace settlement are beginning to fade. Over the years her beauty had faded a little.2 [intransitive, transitive]COLOUR/COLOR to lose colour and brightness, or to make something do this the fading evening light a pair of faded jeans The sun had faded the curtains.3 [intransitive] (also fade away)WEAK to become weaker physically, especially so that you become very ill or die4 [intransitive]WORSE if a team fades, it stops playing as well as it did before5 → fade into insignificance → fade in → fade out→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
fade• Hopes of an early end to the strike are beginning to fade.• Over the years the green paint had faded.• Just as suddenly as it had begun, the spasm seemed to fade.• The wireless set hissed and crackled and Max Bygraves faded all away.• He saluted Melissa with a smile that faded as he became aware of the argument going on across the yard.• The colors would soon disperse, merging with others and moving on or fading as the night appeared.• Your natural hair colour begins to fade as you grow older, and eventually you go grey.• The laughter faded away, leaving me with a sense of unease.• New roads spring up, old roads fade away.• The Broncos faded in the second half.• He's wearing a red shirt and faded jeans.• As Neta faded out of the picture, he faded in.Origin fade (1300-1400) French fader, from Latin fatuus; → FATUOUS 