pale

1 of 5

adjective

ˈpāl

paler; palest

Synonyms of pale next

: deficient in color or intensity of color : pallid

a pale complexion

b(1)

: having color of reduced saturation (see saturation sense 4a)

a pale pink

(2)

: light in color especially relative to others of its kind

pale beers

: not bright or brilliant : dim

a pale sun shining through the fog

: feeble, faint

a pale imitation

palely

ˈpāl-lē

adverb

paleness

ˈpāl-nəs

noun

palish

ˈpā-lish

adjective

pale

2 of 5

verb (1)

paled; paling

intransitive verb

: to become pale

transitive verb

: to make pale

pale

3 of 5

noun

: an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure)

conduct that was beyond the pale

: a space or field having bounds : enclosure

The cattle were led into the pale.

: a territory or district within certain bounds or under a particular jurisdiction

British culture survived even within the Roman pale.

: one of the stakes of a palisade

: picket sense 1

: a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield

archaic : palisade, paling

pale

4 of 5

verb (2)

paled; paling

transitive verb

: to enclose with pales : fence

pale-

5 of 5

Examples of pale in a Sentence

Adjective the pale wood of the table The walls were painted a pale blue. She has a pale complexion. Her illness had left her pale and weak. She grew pale with fright. Are you feeling well? You look pale. the pale light of dawn

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Here are four pale green watches that have jumped out at us this year so far. —

Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024 In the world underneath the desert landscape of Western Australia, a small, pale creature crawls around in the dark on the hunt for its next meal. —

Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pale

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English pale, paal, palle, borrowed from Anglo-French pale, palle, paille (also continental Old French), borrowed (with loss of unstressed -id-) from Latin pallidus "pale, colorless," formed with the adjective suffix -idus from the same base as pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color," pallor "paleness of complexion, loss of color" — more at fallow entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English palen, borrowed from Anglo-French palir (continental Old French palir, paloïr), going back (with conjugation change) to Latin pallēscere "to grow pale, turn a pale color," inchoative derivative of pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color" — more at fallow entry 1

Noun and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pale was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pale. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pale

1 of 3 adjective

ˈpā(ə)l

paler; palest

: light in color or shade : not vivid

a pale pink

: not having the warm skin color of a person in good health : pallid

became pale

: not bright or brilliant : dim

pale sunshine

palely adverb

paleness noun

pale

2 of 3 verb

paled; paling

: to make or become pale

pale

3 of 3 noun

: a stake or picket of a fence

: an enclosed place

: territory within clearly marked bounds or under a particular authority

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English pale "lacking in color," from early French pale (same meaning), from Latin pallidus (same meaning), from pallēre "to be pale"

Noun

Middle English pale "paling, picket," from early French pal "stake," from Latin palus (same meaning) — related to travel see Word History at travel

Medical Definition

pale

adjective

ˈpā(ə)l

paler; palest

: deficient in color or intensity of color

a pale face

paleness

-nəs

noun

Last Updated: 27 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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pale

adjective

verb (1)

noun

verb (2)

combining form

Synonyms

Examples of pale in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near pale

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition