to lose brightness or vividness of color.

to become dim, as light

or lose brightness of illumination.

to lose freshness, vigor, strength

or health

The tulips have faded.

to disappear or die gradually (often fol. by away or out )

His anger faded away.

Movies

Television .

to appear gradually, esp. by becoming lighter (usually fol. by in ).

to disappear gradually, esp. by becoming darker (usually fol. by out ).

Broadcasting

Recording .

to increase gradually in volume of sound, as in recording or broadcasting music, dialogue, etc. (usually fol. by in ).

to decrease gradually in volume of sound (usually fol. by out ).

Football . (of an offensive back, esp. a quarterback) to move back toward one's own goal line, usually with the intent to pass

after receiving the snapback from center or a hand-off or lateral pass behind the line of scrimmage (usually fol. by back )

The quarterback was tackled while fading back for a pass.

(of an automotive brake) to undergo brake fade.

to cause to fade

Sunshine faded the drapes.

(in dice throwing) to make a wager against (the caster).

Movies

Television .

to cause (a scene) to appear gradually (usually fol. by in ).

to cause (a scene) to disappear gradually (usually fol. by out ).

Broadcasting

Recording . to cause (the volume of sound) to increase or decrease gradually (usually fol. by in or out ).

an act or instance of fading.

Movies

Television Informal . a fade-out.

Automotive . brake fade.