pal

1 of 2

noun

ˈpal 

: a close friend

palship

ˈpal-ˌship 

noun

pal

2 of 2

verb

palled; palling

intransitive verb

: to be or become pals : associate as pals

they've palled around for years

Synonyms of pal

Noun

• friend
• buddy
• chum

Verb

• travel
• associate
• bond
• run
• hang (around or out)
• mix
• connect
• take up with
• rub shoulders (with)
• hook up
• mingle
• join
• company
• collaborate
• relate
• fall in with

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

Noun

Brad Paisley Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, posted several photos ahead of the Madison Square Garden party, including one with celeb pals Seth Meyers and his wife, human rights attorney Alexi Ashe. — Alison Abbey Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

Trump will also encounter another former pal – Keir Starmer – who’ll shortly have more time to pursue his avid amateur soccer career after resigning as British prime minister. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Eagle-eyed fans shared videos of the model in the stands, rather than in the VIP section where Swift’s celeb pals and relatives would hang out at each show, per People. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 July 2026

Having Murphy nearby allowed the two longtime pals to while away the summer in tandem. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing pal

• gal pal
• pal around with
• pal up
• pen pal

Rhymes for pal

• bal
• dal
• gal
• mal
• sal
• shall
• artisanal
• canal
• chorale
• corral
• locale
• morale

Kids Definition

pal

1 of 2 noun

ˈpal 

: a close friend

pal

2 of 2 verb

palled; palling

: to be or become pals

Legal Definition

PAL

abbreviation

passive activity loss