grey out
When something becomes dull grey and hard to see or use — like a button on a computer screen that you can't click.
Meanings
(Computing/UI) To display an option, button, or menu item in a muted grey color to indicate it is currently unavailable or disabled.
"The 'save' button will grey out automatically if you haven't made any changes to the document."
(Aviation/physiology) To experience a partial loss of vision or consciousness — a dimming effect — due to reduced blood flow to the brain, typically caused by high g-forces.
"The pilot began to grey out as the aircraft pulled a sharp 6-g turn."
To become visually dull, washed out, or indistinct in color.
"The old photograph had greyed out so much that her face was barely visible."
Common in computing (UI design) where disabled menu items are 'greyed out'. Also used in aviation for a partial loss of vision due to g-force. British spelling is 'grey out'; American spelling is 'gray out'. Both are standard.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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