This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
French
Vocabulary
dégradé

B1 adjective #4,500 most common 10 min read

dégradé

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dégradé in 30 Seconds

Explanation dégradé in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'dégradé' as a word to describe colors. Imagine a picture of a sky that is dark blue at the top and light blue at the bottom. That is a 'dégradé'. You might also use it when talking about your hair. If you go to a French barber and want a short haircut where the hair gets shorter near your ears, you can say 'un dégradé'. It is a useful word for simple descriptions of how things look. Just remember: it describes a change that happens little by little, not a sudden jump from one color to another. At this stage, focus on 'dégradé' for hair and colors.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'dégradé' for more everyday objects. You might describe a t-shirt that has a 'dégradé' effect (ombré). You also learn that it can describe something that is not in a good state. If you see a wall with graffiti or peeling paint, you can say it is 'dégradé'. This level introduces the idea of agreement: 'un ciel dégradé' (masculine) but 'une couleur dégradée' (feminine). You can also use it to describe the weather, like when the sun sets and the colors blend together. It's a great word to make your descriptions more interesting than just using basic colors like 'bleu' or 'rouge'.

At the B1 level, 'dégradé' becomes a key word for describing situations and more complex visual concepts. You will use it to talk about the 'climat social' (social climate) or the 'état d'un bâtiment' (state of a building). Here, it often implies a process of deterioration. For example, 'La situation s'est dégradée' means things have gotten worse. In your professional life, if you work in design or marketing, 'dégradé' is the technical term for a gradient. You should be comfortable using it as both an adjective ('un mur dégradé') and a noun ('faire un dégradé'). You also start to distinguish it from similar words like 'abîmé' (damaged) or 'fondu' (blended).

At the B2 level, you use 'dégradé' with more precision in abstract contexts. You can discuss the 'dégradation' (noun form) of environment or political relations. You understand that 'dégradé' can also refer to a loss of rank or status ('un militaire dégradé'). You might use it in literary or formal writing to describe the subtle nuances of a landscape or an emotion that fades over time. You are expected to use the word in the passive voice correctly: 'Les conditions de travail ont été dégradées par la nouvelle direction.' You also understand the difference between 'dégradé' (the state) and 'dégradant' (the quality of being humiliating).

At the C1 level, 'dégradé' is used in sophisticated critiques of art, architecture, and sociology. You might analyze how a 'dégradé de tons' (gradient of tones) in a painting contributes to its emotional depth. In a sociological essay, you could write about the 'tissu urbain dégradé' (deteriorated urban fabric) and its impact on community health. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, connecting it to the loss of 'grade' or 'step'. Your usage is fluid, moving effortlessly between the literal meaning (a physical gradient) and the figurative meaning (a decline in value or quality). You also recognize it in specialized fields like geology or optics.

At the C2 level, you have a total mastery of 'dégradé' and its subtle connotations. You can use it to describe the most minute transitions in philosophy or aesthetics. You might use it to describe a 'conscience dégradée' in a literary analysis, where a character's morals have slowly eroded. You are aware of its use in legal or administrative French regarding the 'dégradation de biens publics' (damage to public property). Your ability to use the word allows you to capture the 'entre-deux'—the space between two states—with perfect clarity. You use it not just to describe what is there, but to evoke the process of change itself, whether beautiful or tragic.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dégradé in 30 Seconds

A versatile adjective for gradients in art and design.
The standard term for layered or fade haircuts in French.
Used to describe physical deterioration or damage to buildings.
Describes abstract worsening in social or political situations.

The French word dégradé is a versatile adjective that English speakers will encounter in three primary contexts: aesthetics, hairdressing, and physical condition. At its core, the term implies a transition—either a smooth, intentional shift from one state to another, or a unintentional decline in quality. In the world of visual arts and design, it refers to a gradient or a faded effect where colors blend seamlessly into one another. Imagine a sunset where the deep orange at the horizon slowly turns into a pale yellow; a French speaker would describe this as a ciel dégradé. This usage is highly common in graphic design, fashion, and interior decoration.

Visual Art & Design: Refers to a smooth transition between colors. In English, we often use the word 'gradient' or 'ombré'. For example, 'un tissu dégradé' is a fabric where the color lightens or darkens gradually across the surface.
Hairdressing (Coiffure): In a salon, 'un dégradé' is a layered haircut or a fade. It suggests that the hair is cut at different lengths to create volume or a tapering effect. 'Un dégradé américain' specifically refers to what English speakers call a 'fade' haircut.
Physical State & Environment: Describes something that has deteriorated or been damaged over time. A 'bâtiment dégradé' is a building in a state of disrepair, often suggesting neglect or the harsh effects of weather.

J'adore ce pull avec son effet dégradé qui passe du bleu marine au bleu ciel.

Translation: I love this sweater with its gradient effect that goes from navy blue to sky blue.

Beyond the physical, dégradé can also appear in sociological or political discussions. When talking about the climat social dégradé, one is referring to a social atmosphere that has worsened, perhaps due to tension, strikes, or economic hardship. This nuance of 'worsening' is vital for B1 learners to grasp, as it moves the word from a simple descriptive adjective to a tool for expressing complex observations about the world around them.

L'état de la route s'est dégradé après les fortes pluies de l'hiver.

Translation: The condition of the road deteriorated after the heavy winter rains.

Artistic Nuance: In painting, a 'dégradé' is achieved by blending wet paint to remove hard edges between colors. It is the hallmark of professional finishing in both fine arts and industrial painting.

In summary, whether you are admiring a painting, getting a haircut, or complaining about the state of a local park, dégradé is the word you need to describe transitions and declines. It is a word that bridges the gap between high-level art and everyday reality.

Using dégradé correctly requires an understanding of gender and number agreement, as it functions as a standard French adjective. Because it ends in an accented 'é', its forms are dégradé (masculine singular), dégradée (feminine singular), dégradés (masculine plural), and dégradées (feminine plural). It almost always follows the noun it modifies, which is typical for adjectives describing color, state, or physical characteristics.

Elle porte une jupe dégradée du rouge au noir.

Note the feminine agreement with 'jupe'.

When discussing hair, dégradé can act as a noun (un dégradé) or an adjective (une coupe dégradée). If you are at the hairdresser, you might say, 'Je voudrais un dégradé, s'il vous plaît,' or 'Je voudrais les cheveux dégradés.' Both are perfectly natural. In the context of deterioration, it often pairs with nouns like état (state), situation, or façade.

Describing Colors: 'Un fond dégradé' (a gradient background). This is very common in digital contexts, such as PowerPoint presentations or website design.
Describing Decay: 'Des murs dégradés par l'humidité' (walls damaged by humidity). Here, it conveys a sense of physical loss of quality.

In more formal or academic French, you might see it used to describe a loss of status or rank. For instance, 'un officier dégradé' refers to an officer who has been stripped of their rank. While this is less common in daily conversation, it highlights the word's root meaning: a step down (dé- + grade).

Les couleurs dégradées de ce tableau créent une atmosphère apaisante.

Comparison with 'Fondu': While 'fondu' means 'fused' or 'melted' (like a cross-fade in film), 'dégradé' specifically implies a stepped or smooth progression of intensity or tone.

To master this word, try using it when describing the sky at dusk or when noticing the peeling paint on an old house. It is a bridge between the beautiful (artistic gradients) and the practical (worn-out objects).

You will encounter dégradé in a variety of real-world scenarios in France and other Francophone countries. If you walk into any salon de coiffure, you will hear it constantly. It is perhaps the most requested type of haircut. Stylists use it to describe everything from a subtle layering that adds movement to long hair, to the sharp, buzzed fades popular in modern masculine styles.

Coiffeur : 'Vous voulez un dégradé sur les côtés ou on garde de la longueur ?'

Translation: Hairdresser: 'Do you want a fade on the sides or should we keep some length?'

In the world of fashion magazines (like Vogue France or Elle), dégradé is used to describe the latest trends in textile dyeing. You might read about a 'robe au dégradé de pastels' (a dress with a pastel gradient). This artistic usage extends to makeup as well, particularly for 'lèvres dégradées' (gradient lips) or 'regard dégradé' (smokey eye with a gradient effect).

News & Media: Journalists often use 'dégradé' to describe the worsening state of public services or infrastructure. 'L'accès aux soins s'est dégradé dans les zones rurales' (Access to care has deteriorated in rural areas).
Graphic Design: In software like Photoshop or Canva in French, the 'Gradient Tool' is called 'l'outil dégradé'. Designers will discuss whether a 'dégradé linéaire' (linear gradient) or 'dégradé radial' (radial gradient) looks better for a logo.

Weather reports also use this word. A meteorologist might speak of a 'dégradé nuageux' (a gradient of clouds), meaning the sky is clearing up or clouding over gradually from one region to another. This highlights how the word describes a spatial or temporal transition.

Le rapport souligne une situation sécuritaire dégradée dans la capitale.

Whether in the chic streets of Paris or in a technical manual for software, dégradé is a high-frequency word that moves between the worlds of beauty and decay with ease.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with dégradé is confusing its various meanings. Because 'degraded' in English often has a very strong negative, moral, or technical connotation (like a 'degraded signal' or 'degraded behavior'), learners sometimes hesitate to use it for positive things like a beautiful sunset or a cool haircut. Remember: in French, dégradé is the standard word for 'gradient' and is not inherently negative.

Mistake 1: Using 'Gradient' in French: English speakers often try to use 'gradient' as a French word. While 'un gradient' exists in French, it is almost exclusively used in mathematics and physics (e.g., 'le gradient de température'). For colors and hair, you must use 'dégradé'.
Mistake 2: Gender Agreement: Forgetting the extra 'e' for feminine nouns. 'Une couleur dégradé' is incorrect; it must be 'Une couleur dégradée'.
Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Détérioré': While 'dégradé' can mean deteriorated, it often implies a gradual wearing down or vandalism. 'Détérioré' is more general for any kind of damage. Use 'dégradé' for buildings or social situations that have slowly lost their luster.

Incorrect: J'aime le gradient de ce logo.
Correct: J'aime le dégradé de ce logo.

Another mistake involves the haircut. If you want layers, don't say 'couches' (which means layers like in a cake or layers of clothing). Say 'un dégradé'. If you say 'Je veux des couches', the hairdresser will be very confused!

False Friend Alert: In English, 'degraded' can mean morally corrupt. In French, 'dégradé' is rarely used for people's morals; instead, use 'corrompu' or 'abject'. 'Dégradé' remains largely physical or structural.

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the clunky 'Anglicisms' that often trap intermediate learners and speak with the precision of a native.

Depending on whether you are talking about art, hair, or physical decay, there are several alternatives to dégradé that can make your French sound more nuanced. Understanding these synonyms helps you choose the right 'flavor' for your sentence.

For Art and Color: Nuancé: Means 'nuanced' or 'subtly varied'. Use this when the transition is very delicate.
Estompé: Means 'blurred' or 'softened'. This is used when the edges of a color are rubbed out to create a soft effect, like in charcoal drawing.
For Physical State: Abîmé: The most common word for 'damaged' or 'hurt'. It's more informal than dégradé.
Délabré: A very strong word for 'dilapidated' or 'run-down'. Use this for buildings that are falling apart.
Vétuste: An administrative or formal word for something that is old and no longer meets modern standards (often used for housing).
For Hair: Effilé: This means 'thinned out'. While a 'dégradé' adds layers, 'effilé' uses a razor or special scissors to make the ends of the hair thinner and wispy.

Ce vieux palais est totalement délabré, mais on voit encore les restes d'un plafond dégradé de fresques.

Translation: This old palace is totally dilapidated, but one can still see the remains of a fresco-gradient ceiling.

In a technical or digital context, you might also hear the English loanword gradient, but it remains rare in common speech. Using dégradé is always the safer, more 'French' choice. Finally, when talking about a decline in quality, en baisse (on the decline) is a good alternative for statistics or performance.

Mastering these synonyms allows you to describe everything from a masterpiece to a mess with precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While it started as a military term for punishment, artists in the 18th century adopted it to describe the 'steps' of color in a painting.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.ɡʁa.de/

US /de.ɡʁa.de/

Stress is equal on all syllables, but slightly more emphasis on the final 'é'.

Rhymes With

passé cassé dessiné donné marché été regardé aimé

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'é' as an 'uh' or 'eh'.
Confusing the 'r' with an English 'r'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Making the 'a' sound like 'cat' instead of 'father'.
Treating the final 'd' as silent (it is voiced because of the 'é').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context due to the English word 'degraded'.

Writing 4/5

Requires attention to gender/number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Common word, easy to use once the 'hair vs. color' link is made.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, though 'dégradé' vs 'dégradant' can be tricky.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

couleur cheveux état mur changer

Learn Next

dégradation vétuste estomper nuance délabré

Advanced

obsolescence déliquescence gradient finesse

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

Un mur dégradé / Des maisons dégradées.

Passive Voice

Le mur a été dégradé par la pluie.

Reflexive Verbs for Change

Le temps se dégrade.

Noun from Adjective

Le dégradé (the gradient).

Position of Adjectives

Un pull dégradé (follows the noun).

Examples by Level

J'aime ce bleu dégradé.

I like this gradient blue.

Masculine singular agreement.

Il a un nouveau dégradé.

He has a new fade (haircut).

Used as a noun here.

Le ciel est dégradé ce soir.

The sky is gradient-colored tonight.

Simple adjective use.

Ma chemise est dégradée.

My shirt is faded/gradient.

Feminine singular agreement.

Regarde le dessin dégradé.

Look at the gradient drawing.

Follows the noun 'dessin'.

C'est un dégradé de rose.

It's a pink gradient.

'Dégradé de' + color.

Le coiffeur fait un dégradé.

The hairdresser is doing a fade.

Common salon phrase.

La couleur est dégradée.

The color is gradient/faded.

Subject-adjective agreement.

Le mur de l'école est dégradé.

The school wall is damaged/worn.

Introduces the meaning of 'damaged'.

Elle porte un pull dégradé vert.

She is wearing a green gradient sweater.

Adjective modifying 'pull'.

Les couleurs dégradées sont jolies.

The gradient colors are pretty.

Feminine plural agreement.

Le soleil crée un dégradé d'orange.

The sun creates a gradient of orange.

Noun usage in nature context.

Ce vieux livre est un peu dégradé.

This old book is a bit worn out.

Describes physical condition.

Je préfère les fonds dégradés.

I prefer gradient backgrounds.

Masculine plural agreement.

C'est une peinture avec un effet dégradé.

It's a painting with a gradient effect.

Compound descriptive phrase.

La façade du bâtiment est dégradée.

The building's facade is deteriorated.

Common urban description.

La situation économique s'est dégradée cette année.

The economic situation worsened this year.

Reflexive verb usage (se dégrader).

Il a demandé un dégradé américain chez le coiffeur.

He asked for a fade haircut at the barber's.

Specific terminology for a fade.

Les relations entre les deux pays sont dégradées.

Relations between the two countries are strained/deteriorated.

Abstract usage.

On voit un dégradé de gris sur cette photo.

We see a gradient of gray in this photo.

Artistic description.

L'état de la route est très dégradé par ici.

The condition of the road is very poor around here.

Describes infrastructure.

Le logo utilise un dégradé linéaire moderne.

The logo uses a modern linear gradient.

Technical design context.

Le climat social est dégradé à cause des grèves.

The social climate is worsened because of the strikes.

Sociological context.

Ses vêtements étaient vieux et dégradés.

His clothes were old and worn out.

Plural agreement.

Le monument historique a été dégradé par des vandales.

The historic monument was vandalized by vandals.

Passive voice; implies intentional damage.

Ce quartier présente un habitat fortement dégradé.

This neighborhood shows heavily deteriorated housing.

Formal urban planning term.

La qualité de l'air s'est dégradée ces derniers jours.

The air quality has deteriorated these past few days.

Environmental context.

L'artiste maîtrise parfaitement le dégradé de lumière.

The artist perfectly masters the gradient of light.

Advanced artistic critique.

Il a été dégradé de son rang après le scandale.

He was stripped of his rank after the scandal.

Military/Formal usage.

Une atmosphère dégradée régnait lors de la réunion.

A tense/deteriorated atmosphere prevailed during the meeting.

Metaphorical usage.

Les couleurs dégradées du couchant m'inspirent.

The gradient colors of the sunset inspire me.

Poetic usage.

Le signal Wi-Fi est dégradé à cause des murs épais.

The Wi-Fi signal is weakened because of the thick walls.

Technical usage.

L'œuvre explore la frontière entre le net et le dégradé.

The work explores the boundary between the sharp and the gradient.

Noun usage in abstract art theory.

On assiste à une situation sécuritaire nettement dégradée.

We are witnessing a clearly deteriorated security situation.

Formal political reporting.

Le dégradé chromatique de cette toile est saisissant.

The chromatic gradient of this canvas is striking.

Technical artistic vocabulary.

L'érosion a laissé un paysage rocheux dégradé.

Erosion has left a deteriorated rocky landscape.

Geological context.

La confiance entre les partenaires s'est dégradée au fil du temps.

Trust between the partners eroded over time.

Figurative use for relationships.

Le texte souligne le caractère dégradé de la périphérie urbaine.

The text highlights the run-down character of the urban periphery.

Sociological analysis.

Une version dégradée du logiciel est disponible gratuitement.

A downgraded version of the software is available for free.

Computing context.

Le patient présente une fonction rénale dégradée.

The patient shows impaired/deteriorated renal function.

Medical context.

La subtilité du dégradé pictural évoque le passage du temps.

The subtlety of the pictorial gradient evokes the passage of time.

High-level aesthetic analysis.

Une dérive autoritaire a dégradé les institutions démocratiques.

An authoritarian drift has degraded democratic institutions.

Political philosophy context.

Le dégradé des valeurs morales inquiète les observateurs.

The erosion of moral values worries observers.

Abstract sociological critique.

L'architecte a intégré des matériaux aux tons dégradés naturels.

The architect integrated materials with natural gradient tones.

Architectural design.

La structure même du récit semble se dégrader vers le chaos.

The very structure of the narrative seems to deteriorate toward chaos.

Literary theory.

Le milieu naturel est si dégradé que la restauration est impossible.

The natural environment is so degraded that restoration is impossible.

Ecological crisis context.

Il s'agit d'une forme dégradée de l'idéalisme platonicien.

It is a degraded form of Platonic idealism.

Philosophical context.

Le dégradé de sa santé fut aussi rapide qu'inattendu.

The decline of his health was as rapid as it was unexpected.

Noun usage for health decline.

Common Collocations

coupe dégradée

ciel dégradé

climat dégradé

état dégradé

couleur dégradée

dégradé américain

dégradé linéaire

façade dégradée

situation dégradée

effet dégradé

Common Phrases

en dégradé

— In a gradient fashion or in layers.

Les livres sont rangés en dégradé de taille.

faire un dégradé

— To create a gradient or give a layered haircut.

Le peintre fait un dégradé sur la toile.

un dégradé de couleurs

— A range of colors blending into each other.

Regarde ce beau dégradé de couleurs.

se dégrader

— To worsen or deteriorate.

La météo va se dégrader demain.

dégradé sur les côtés

— Faded on the sides (haircut).

Je voudrais un dégradé sur les côtés.

nuances dégradées

— Fading or blending shades.

Des nuances dégradées de bleu.

bâtiment dégradé

— A building in poor condition.

Ils vivent dans un bâtiment dégradé.

climat social dégradé

— Tense social atmosphere.

Le climat social dégradé inquiète le gouvernement.

dégradé de gris

— Grayscale gradient.

Le dessin est en dégradé de gris.

cheveux dégradés

— Layered hair.

Elle a les cheveux dégradés.

Often Confused With

dégradé vs dégradant

Means humiliating/degrading to one's dignity, not a gradient.

dégradé vs dégradation

The noun form (the act of damaging or the gradient itself).

dégradé vs gradient

Used in math/science, not for art or hair.

Idioms & Expressions

"être en dégradé"

— To be arranged by size or intensity.

Les montagnes sont en dégradé à l'horizon.

neutral

"aller en se dégradant"

— To keep getting worse and worse.

Sa santé va en se dégradant.

neutral

"un ton dégradé"

— A tone that is not pure or has been softened.

Il parle d'un ton dégradé.

literary

"dégradé de la vie"

— The fading stages of life.

Le dégradé de la vieillesse.

poetic

"dégradé urbain"

— The phenomenon of city decay.

Lutter contre le dégradé urbain.

sociological

"un dégradé de sentiments"

— A range of evolving emotions.

Elle éprouve un dégradé de sentiments.

literary

"dégradé par le temps"

— Weather-beaten or aged.

Un visage dégradé par le temps.

poetic

"finir en dégradé"

— To end softly or gradually.

La chanson finit en dégradé.

neutral

"dégradé de lumière"

— The play of light fading into shadow.

Un magnifique dégradé de lumière.

artistic

"état de santé dégradé"

— Poor state of health.

Il est dans un état de santé dégradé.

medical

Easily Confused

dégradé vs fondu

Both involve blending.

Fondu is more about melting together; dégradé is a step-by-step transition.

Un fondu enchaîné (cross-fade) vs un dégradé de couleurs.

dégradé vs abîmé

Both mean damaged.

Abîmé is general and informal; dégradé implies a loss of quality or vandalism.

Une pomme abîmée (not dégradée).

dégradé vs passé

Both can mean faded.

Passé specifically means color lost due to sun/age; dégradé can be an intentional style.

Un rideau passé par le soleil.

dégradé vs effilé

Both are haircut terms.

Effilé means thinned out; dégradé means layered.

Je veux un dégradé, pas un effilé.

dégradé vs vétuste

Both describe old buildings.

Vétuste means it's old/unsafe; dégradé means it's been damaged/neglected.

Un ascenseur vétuste.

Sentence Patterns

C'est un dégradé de [couleur].

C'est un dégradé de bleu.

J'ai [noun] dégradé.

J'ai un pull dégradé.

La situation s'est dégradée.

La situation s'est dégradée hier.

[Noun] a été dégradé par [Noun].

Le mur a été dégradé par le vent.

Un dégradé de [abstract noun].

Un dégradé de sentiments complexes.

Sous l'effet de [Noun], [Noun] se dégrade.

Sous l'effet de l'érosion, la côte se dégrade.

Une coupe dégradée.

Elle veut une coupe dégradée.

Un climat social dégradé.

Nous vivons dans un climat social dégradé.

Word Family

Nouns

dégradation The act of deteriorating or a gradient.

grade A rank or level.

Verbs

dégrader To damage, to downgrade, or to create a gradient.

se dégrader To become worse.

Adjectives

dégradant Degrading or humiliating.

graduel Gradual.

gradation

graduer

dégradabilité

biodégradable

rétrograde

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in fashion, grooming, and news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'gradient' for hair. → un dégradé
Gradient is only for math/science in French.
Une situation dégradé. → Une situation dégradée.
Adjectives must agree with feminine nouns.
Un dégradé de personnes. → Une foule (ou autre).
Dégradé doesn't mean a group of people, even if they vary.
C'est dégradant (for a wall). → C'est dégradé.
Dégradant means humiliating, not physically damaged.
Un dégradé de layers. → Un dégradé.
Don't use English 'layers' inside the French term.

Tips

Hair Salon Tip

If you want a fade, ask for 'un dégradé à blanc' for a very short skin fade.

Agreement

Always check the noun gender. 'La situation' is feminine, so use 'dégradée'.

Design

Use 'dégradé' for any color transition, from web buttons to makeup.

Weather

Say 'Le temps se dégrade' when you see dark clouds approaching.

Precision

In formal essays, use 'dégradé' to describe the erosion of social values.

Context Clues

If you hear 'dégradé' in the news, look for words like 'grève' or 'crise'.

Mnemonic

De-Grade: Moving down a grade of color or down the quality scale.

Real Estate

A 'façade dégradée' in an ad usually means you'll need to spend money on repairs.

Art Class

Ask 'Comment faire un beau dégradé ?' to learn blending techniques.

Relationships

Use 'nos rapports se sont dégradés' to say you aren't getting along with someone anymore.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Grade'. If you 'De-Grade' something, you take away its quality (deteriorate) or you move down through 'grades' of color (gradient).

Visual Association

Imagine a staircase where each step is a slightly different shade of blue. That is a 'dégradé'.

Word Web

Couleur Coiffeur Bâtiment Situation Gradient Détérioré Nuance Climat

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room that are 'dégradé'—one for color, one for wear/tear, and one for shape.

Word Origin

From the Middle French 'desgrader', which comes from the Old French 'des-' (expressing reversal) and 'grade' (step or rank). It originally meant to strip someone of their rank.

Original meaning: To deprive of a rank or office.

Romance (Latin: de- + gradus).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'dégradé' to describe a person's appearance, as it can sound like you are saying they look worn out or messy.

English speakers often use 'fade' or 'layers' for hair, and 'gradient' for art. French uses 'dégradé' for both.

The 'dégradé' effect in Impressionist paintings (e.g., Monet). The 'dégradé américain' popular in French hip-hop culture. Urban 'dégradation' in French cinema like 'La Haine'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Barber

Un dégradé court
Dégradé sur les côtés
Pas trop dégradé
Un dégradé à blanc

Graphic Design

Ajouter un dégradé
Dégradé de transparence
Angle du dégradé
Couleurs du dégradé

Urban Observation

Immeuble dégradé
Quartier dégradé
Route dégradée
Façade dégradée

Weather/Sky

Ciel dégradé
Lumière dégradée
Horizon dégradé
Couleurs dégradées

Social/Political

Climat dégradé
Situation dégradée
Conditions dégradées
Rapport dégradé

Conversation Starters

"Tu préfères les couleurs unies ou les effets dégradés pour ton salon ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que le centre-ville est dégradé en ce moment ?"

"Tu as déjà essayé de faire un dégradé toi-même avec de la peinture ?"

"Quelle est la meilleure adresse pour un bon dégradé américain ici ?"

"Comment trouves-tu le dégradé de couleurs sur ce nouveau logo ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez un coucher de soleil que vous avez vu récemment en utilisant le mot 'dégradé'.

Pensez-vous que les relations humaines se sont dégradées avec les réseaux sociaux ?

Décrivez votre coupe de cheveux idéale. Est-ce qu'elle est dégradée ?

Racontez une visite dans un endroit dégradé ou abandonné. Qu'avez-vous ressenti ?

Si vous deviez peindre une pièce de votre maison avec un dégradé, quelles couleurs choisiriez-vous ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is the most common word for a layered or fade haircut. You can say 'un dégradé' or 'une coupe dégradée'.

Not always. In art and hair, it is often positive or neutral. In social or structural contexts, it is negative (meaning deteriorated).

It is the French term for a 'fade' haircut, where the hair is very short on the sides and gradually gets longer on top.

The tool is called 'l'outil dégradé'.

Yes, it is an adjective: dégradé (m), dégradée (f), dégradés (m.pl), dégradées (f.pl).

Dégradé describes a state (gradient/damaged). Dégradant describes something that humbles or shames someone (degrading).

Yes, 'la météo se dégrade' means the weather is getting worse.

Yes, 'dégrader' (to damage/to create a gradient) and 'se dégrader' (to worsen).

Yes, 'un monument dégradé' often implies it has been spray-painted or damaged by people.

You can say 'une chemise dégradée' (if it's a style) or 'une chemise délavée' (if it's from washing).