pastel

1 of 2

noun

pas·​tel pa-ˈstel 

1

: a paste made of powdered pigment ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making crayons

also : a crayon made of such paste

2

a

: a drawing in pastel

b

: the process or art of drawing with pastels

3

: a light literary sketch

4

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to a pastel

b

: made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color

3

: lacking in body or vigor

Synonyms of pastel

Adjective

• pale
• faded
• light

Examples of pastel in a Sentence

Noun

She has a collection of pastels.

She prefers a pastel like light yellow.

The room is painted in a pastel shade of blue.

Adjective

a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While the shade range isn’t as vast as OPI or Sally Hansen, there’s still a solid variety, including neutrals, jewel tones, pastels, and even some shimmery and pearl finishes. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025

The items are available in a wide palette of signature muted and vibrant colors, including earthy and neutral tones, pink pastels and green and blue shades, with a pop of red for the plaid. —David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Grande has notably made some departures from her primarily pink, white and pastel wardrobe pieces in recent days, going more Elphaba than Glinda with certain looks. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

Instax cameras are crowd-pleasers for a reason, and this one comes in the cutest pastel shades, like soft mint green and lovely lilac. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian pastello, from Late Latin pastellus woad, from diminutive of pasta

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pastel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

pastel

1 of 2 noun

pas·​tel pas-ˈtel 

1

a

: a paste made of ground color and used for making crayons

b

: a crayon of such paste

2

: a drawing in pastel

3

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color