a shade (something)
Somewhat; a little bit; slightly. The software update should make is a shade easier to search for the information you need. I think we should use a mixture that's a shade thinner.
a shade of (something)
A particular hue of a given color. I think we should paint this room a light shade of green.
a shade —
a little —. informal 1984 Armistead Maupin Babycakes Shall we go a shade lighter…Pink it up a bit?