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to gradate

to gradate

1 8.6
To change slowly from one color or shade to another
  • verb
  • /ˈɡreɪdeɪt/
translation icon : gradar
  • The colors in this tapestry gradate from deep blue to pale pink.

Examples

  • The artist chose to gradate the colors in her painting.

  • When mixing watercolors, the hues gradate softly across the paper.

  • Sunset skies often gradate from gold to violet in a beautiful display.

  • He gradated the shades from light to dark.

  • The artist used various colors to gradate the sunset from orange to deep purple.

  • The designer chose to gradate the fabric's colors for a smooth transition in her dress.

  • In painting, it's crucial to gradate the tones carefully to create depth and realism.

Synonyms

to shade
vsto gradate
10 3.9

To change something a little to make it less strong

describes a continuous passage between degrees or tones rather than a small adjustment

How Gradual

to gradate
1 8.6
transition
449 3.7
shift
363 3.5
to change
1.0
to switch
756 2.0

Surface Forms

gradate infinitive
gradated past
gradated past participle
graduating present participle
gradates third person singular

Morphology

gradate = grade (transparent) = grad + ate

The verb is readily interpretable as derived from the notion of 'grade' (level/degree) plus the verb-forming suffix '-ate'.

Etymology

Gradate comes from the Latin gradus, which means 'step', and is the same root as grade and graduate. Think of a staircase: to gradate colors is to change by small 'steps' from one shade to another, so the change is slow and smooth.