lampshade
/ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.27 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A cover over a lamp to either diffuse the light or to block it in certain directions to avoid glare in the eyes.
verb
To intentionally call attention to the improbable, incongruent, or clichéd nature of an element or situation featured in a work of fiction within the work itself.
Slang
verb
To adorn with one or more lampshades.
verb
To design or create lampshades.
Example Sentences
- "It was all very well, this Bohemianism of red lamp-shades and cigarettes, but in the cold grey light that filtered through Partridge's grimy windows it did not show to any great advantage."
- "The hanging-bowl lampshade in marbled glass was two decades pre-war – the kind that marked out aged people."
- "Only one short bit of humor is endearing, lampshading the ridiculousness of an eye-mask being able to conceal a superhero's identity."
- "Rewriting a whole character is one heck of a chore but the editor/writer must either bite the bullet or indulge in some clever trickery like lampshading."
- "Just as the push by writers in season 4 to make Homer stupider (a trend so established it was lampshaded in "The 138th Episode Spectacular") created some of the best episodes before eventually birthing an unlikable buffoon unaffectionately called "Jerkass Homer", so too is it less the episode itself as much as what it represented."
- "Pants. Who needs them? Definitely not celebrities sporting the lampshading or "no pants" trend this summer."
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek λᾰ́μπω (lắmpō) Ancient Greek -άζω (-ázō) Ancient Greek -ᾰ́ς (-ắs) Ancient Greek λᾰμπᾰ́ς (lămpắs) Byzantine Greek λαμπάδα (lampáda)bor. Late Latin lampada Old French lampebor. Middle English laumpe English lamp Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱh₃tús Proto-Germanic *skaduz Proto-West Germanic *skadu Old English sċeadu Middle English schade English shade English lampshade From lamp + shade. The verb sense comes from the idea of making something more conspicuous by hanging a lampshade on it.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/
- British English: /ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Phrases
Frequently Paired Words
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