lamp-shade

A small lamp-shade sits on a bedside table next to an open book.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A covering for a lamp: "lamp-shade" refers to a decorative or functional covering placed over a light bulb or lamp to direct, diffuse, or soften the light emitted. It is typically made of materials such as fabric, glass, paper, or metal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She bought a new lamp-shade to match the living room curtains. (A covering for a lamp used for decoration and light control.)
  • The lamp-shade was made of stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the ceiling. (A covering that diffuses light and adds aesthetic appeal.)

Advanced Usage

• "to shade the lamp": to position or adjust a lamp-shade to control the direction or intensity of light.

  • He shaded the lamp so that the light would not shine directly in his eyes. (He adjusted the lamp-shade to reduce glare.)

• "lamp-shade effect": a phenomenon where a lamp-shade creates a specific lighting pattern or mood.

  • The lamp-shade effect in the room made it feel cozy and warm. (The way the lamp-shade distributed light created a comfortable atmosphere.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lamp-shade (n): the standard spelling, sometimes written as "lampshade" (one word) in modern usage.

  • The antique lampshade was worth a lot of money. (A covering for a lamp, spelled as one word.)

• Shade (n): a general term for a covering that blocks or softens light, but not specifically for a lamp.

  • The window shade kept the room dark. (A covering for a window, not a lamp.)

Synonyms

• Globe: a spherical glass covering for a lamp, often used in outdoor or industrial settings.
• Diffuser: a device or covering that spreads light evenly, sometimes used interchangeably with lamp-shade in technical contexts.

Related Idioms

• "lamp-shade" (as a verb): informally, to cover or obscure something, like a lamp-shade covers a light.
  • The company tried to lamp-shade the bad news by focusing on positive results. (They attempted to obscure or soften the negative information.)

Note: This idiom is rare and not standard; it is used metaphorically in some contexts.