pal

1 of 2

noun

: a close friend
palship noun

pal

2 of 2

verb

palled; palling

intransitive verb

: to be or become pals : associate as pals
they've palled around for years

Examples of pal in a Sentence

Noun We've been pals since we were kids. Come on—be a pal and lend me the money. Verb they began to pal around after discovering that they both had kids on the same soccer team
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That ingredient delivers a fiery finish to all sorts of dishes, though my pal loves it best on scrambled eggs. Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 My older sister Pam would occasionally let pesky little brother Phil join any late-night movie viewing fun during her weekend slumber parties and birthday party overnights with her elementary pals Robin and Melanie. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025 Established in Newport Beach in 1976, the pizza spot was purchased in 2013 by childhood pals Jeff Roberts, Andy Hong, Rob Dobman and Stan Frazier, a former Sugar Ray band member and drummer. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 16 July 2025 The newest entry, in theaters July 18, follows a new group of high school pals (played by Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, and Tyriq Withers) who inadvertently cause a fatal car crash and make a pact to cover it up out of fear of retribution. EW.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pal

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Romani phral, phal brother, friend, from Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother; akin to Old English brōthor brother

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pal was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pal. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pal

1 of 2 noun
: a close friend

pal

2 of 2 verb
palled; palling
: to be or become pals

Legal Definition

PAL

abbreviation
passive activity loss

More from Merriam-Webster on pal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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