The term Gray Jedi, or Gray, had two meanings. First, it was used by Jedi and Sith to describe Force-users who walked the line between the light and dark sides of the Force without surrendering to the dark side, and second, it described Jedi who distanced themselves from the Jedi High Council and operated outside the strictures of the Jedi Code. However, those who were considered to be true Gray Jedi met both qualifications and did not belong to any particular Force tradition. One example was Jolee Bindo, a former Jedi Padawan and a Gray Jedi that served the Old Republic.

Although the term did not directly refer to those who were capable of using both light and dark side Force abilities, all Gray Jedi could do so. The term was similar to that of «Dark Jedi» in that it could refer to any Force-user, and not only to Jedi. For example, the Voss Mystics were considered to be Gray despite holding very different views than, and refusing association with, the Jedi Order. Sith were never considered to be Gray Jedi, as the Sith Order taught full commitment to the dark side.