1 B2 neutral
In UI/UX design, to make an interface element appear greyed out and non-interactive to show it is currently unavailable.
"The 'submit' button is grayed out until all required fields are completed."
separable
gray out
C1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To experience a partial loss of vision or consciousness; or in digital design, to make an interface element appear dim and inactive.
In plain English
To nearly faint or lose your vision briefly (like when a pilot pulls up fast), or to make a button on a screen look grey because it can't be used right now.
What does "gray out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To experience a partial loss of vision or consciousness, usually due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
"The pilot began to gray out during the sharp climb and had to reduce speed."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn or become grey.
Actually means
To nearly faint or lose your vision briefly (like when a pilot pulls up fast), or to make a button on a screen look grey because it can't be used right now.
Usage tip
In aviation and medicine, a 'gray out' (noun) is a partial loss of colour vision or consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, typically from high g-forces. In UI/UX design, 'greyed out' (British spelling: 'grayed out') means an element is disabled. The spelling 'grey out' is standard in British English.
Words that pair with "gray out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
screen button option menu vision cockpit
How to conjugate "gray out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
gray out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grays out
he/she/it
Past simple
grayed out
yesterday
Past participle
grayed out
have + pp
-ing form
graying out
continuous
Hear "gray out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "gray out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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