lampshadenoun/ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/

• 1

  A cover over a lamp to either diffuse the light or to block it in certain directions to avoid glare in the eyes.

  • 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.

lampshadeverb/ˈlæmp.ʃeɪd/

• 1

  slanghuman-scienceslifestylelinguisticsTo 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.

  • 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.
• 2

  fashionlifestyleTo wear an oversize top with skintight thigh-high boots and no leggings.

  • Pants. Who needs them? Definitely not celebrities sporting the lampshading or "no pants" trend this summer.
  • Kate Moss lampshaded, Bella Hadid lampshaded—hell, nearly every Kardashian took the trend for a spin.
• 3

  To adorn with one or more lampshades.

  • Her hotel sitting-room had, as usual, been flowered, cushioned and lampshaded into a delusive semblance of stability; and she had really felt, for the last few weeks, that the life she was leading there must be going to last — it seemed so perfect an answer to all her wants!
• 4

  To design or create lampshades.

  • Ruth Vitow (160 East 56th Street, 355-6881) has been the doyenne of lampshading for 30 years. She makes up designs in all categories, and her own custom lamps of Lucite and wood.
  • Finally she took a job decorating lampshades. Lampshading, as she called it, left her drained and without impetus or inspiration to draw, which always made her unhappy.