grey
adjective
a variant of gray.
grey
1 American
[gray]
/ greɪ /
adjective
greyer,
greyest
Grey
2
American
[gray]
/ greɪ /
noun
-
Charles, 2nd Earl, 1764–1845, British statesman: prime minister 1830–34.
-
Sir Edward Viscount Fallodon, 1862–1933, British statesman.
-
Sir George, 1812–98, British statesman and colonial administrator: prime minister of New Zealand 1877–79.
-
Lady Jane Lady Jane Dudley, 1537–54, descendant of Henry VII of England; executed under orders of Mary I to eliminate her as a rival for the throne.
-
Zane 1875–1939, U.S. novelist.
grey
1
British
/ ɡreɪ /
adjective
-
of a neutral tone, intermediate between black and white, that has no hue and reflects and transmits only a little light
-
greyish in colour or having parts or marks that are greyish
-
dismal or dark, esp from lack of light; gloomy
-
neutral or dull, esp in character or opinion
-
having grey hair
-
of or relating to people of middle age or above
grey power
-
ancient; venerable
-
(of textiles) natural, unbleached, undyed, and untreated
noun
-
any of a group of grey tones
-
grey cloth or clothing
dressed in grey
-
an animal, esp a horse, that is grey or whitish
verb
Grey
2
British
/ ɡreɪ /
noun
-
Charles, 2nd Earl Grey. 1764–1845, British statesman. As Whig prime minister (1830–34), he carried the Reform Bill of 1832 and the bill for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire (1833)
-
Sir Edward, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon. 1862–1933, British statesman; foreign secretary (1905–16)
-
Sir George. 1812–98, British statesman and colonial administrator; prime minister of New Zealand (1877–79)
-
Lady Jane. 1537–54, queen of England (July 9–19, 1553); great-granddaughter of Henry VII. Her father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland, persuaded Edward VI to alter the succession in her favour, but after ten days as queen she was imprisoned and later executed
-
Zane. 1875–1939, US author of Westerns, including Riders of the Purple Sage (1912)
grey
Idioms
Usage
What’s the difference between grey and gray? Grey and gray are simply different spellings of the same word, which refers to the color halfway between black and white (among other more figurative meanings). In popular use, the two spellings are used interchangeably, though one spelling is often preferred in many places. The spelling grey is more common in British English, while gray is much more common in American English. Remember: spell gray with an a in America, and spell grey with an e in England (among other places). Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between grey and gray.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of grey
Old English grǣg; related to Old High German grāo, Old Norse grar
Explanation
Grey is an alternate spelling for the word gray, which is a color derived from mixing white and black. The word has also come to stand in for other mixtures as well. A person in a grey mood feels gloomy. If you are commanding a military force and you’re not sure whether you should attack a crowd that is half enemy fighters and half innocent citizens, you could say the decision falls in a grey zone. Grey can be a verb too. When you get old, your hair will grey if you don’t go bald first.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This week, a grey haze hangs over Delhi, along with a distinct smoky smell that residents unwillingly recognise.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
There’s also a lot of grey area on what an “agent” really is.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Bulgaria, which had been put on the grey list in 2023, also welcomed its removal.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Speaking only to confirm his name, age and address, Foster appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday, wearing a grey tracksuit and using a crutch to support himself.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
It extended one large grey paw and patted the flames -then leapt back with an outraged yelp.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
The authoritative voice we associate with Picard ordering his tea “Earl Grey, hot,” was fine-tuned over a career that began with training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he enrolled in 1957.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
The corporation said the Lotto Max jackpot ticket was purchased a year ago at a retailer in Grey County, Ontario.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
The enduring myth of the tower as a site of cruel torments has a lot to do with Ainsworth’s melodramatic novel, which adapts the true story of Lady Jane Grey, the “nine days queen.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
Macklemore focused on his solo work, including collaborations with Kesha, Lil Yachty and Skylar Grey.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
Will Shaggydog howl, far off in Winterfell, and Grey Wind and Nymeria, wherever they might be!
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The hair is greyer, but he still carries all of that aura.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
Thirteen years since leaving the Bernabeu Stadium, he is older, greyer, and perhaps a little wiser.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Today the hair is shorter, and greyer, the beard salt-and-pepper, but he still looks good, like a tired lion.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 1, 2020
Forever captured on film and in photographs as young and fresh-faced, it’s startling to see that their hair is sparser or greyer or both.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2020
"I'm getting out of here," the father said, greyer than ever now.
From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
Colombo awoke to its greyest sky of the week come Sunday morning.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
How and when to count commercial income is already one of the greyest of grey areas in accounting.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 29, 2014
Dublin was at its wettest and greyest, while south-west London last Saturday felt like Siberia.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 26, 2013
He was the greyest of grey eminences, a wraith who flickered into occasional visibility in Mexico, Paris or Tangier.
From Time Magazine Archive
I was gluing my nose against the glass of a very small and dimly lit toy shop in one of the greyest and leanest of the streets of Battersea.
From Tremendous Trifles by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
