pale

³pale

adj

pal·erpal·est

Definition of PALE

1

: deficient in color or intensity of color : pallid <a pale complexion>

2

: not bright or brilliant : dim <a pale sun shining through the fog>

3

: feeble, faint <a pale imitation>

4

: deficient in chroma <a pale pink>

— pale·ly \ˈpāl-lē\ adverb

— pale·ness \-nəs\ noun

— pal·ish \ˈpā-lish\ adjective

Examples of PALE

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

Origin of PALE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pallidus, from pallēre to be pale — more at fallow

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PALE

Synonyms: dull, dulled, faded, light, pastel, washed-out, washy

Antonyms: dark, deep, gay, rich

Related Words: flat, lackluster, lusterless, matte (also mat or matt); dim, faint; dirty, muddy; achromatic, colorless, uncolored, undyed, unpainted, unstained; blanched, bleached, washed, white, whitened; gray (also grey), indistinct, neutral

Near Antonyms: bright, brilliant, vibrant, vivid; chromatic, colored, dyed, painted, stained, tinged, tinted; colorful, motley, multicolored, polychromatic, polychrome, prismatic, rainbow, varicolored, variegated; flashy, garish, gaudy, loud, showy, splashy

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide