pale

1 of 3

verb (1)

paled; paling

intransitive verb

: to become pale

transitive verb

: to make pale

pale

2 of 3

noun

1

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

conduct that was beyond the pale

2

a

: a space or field having bounds : enclosure

The cattle were led into the pale.

b

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

British culture survived even within the Roman pale.

3

a

: one of the stakes of a palisade

b

: picket sense 1

4

: a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield

5

archaic : palisade, paling

pale

3 of 3

verb (2)

paled; paling

transitive verb

: to enclose with pales : fence

Word Icons

Synonyms of pale

Verb (1)

• bleach
• fade
• dull
• brighten

Examples of pale in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the sun eventually paled my bright blue shirt

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But the output paled in comparison to a stellar rookie season during which his 1,194 yards led all tight ends. —Sam Warren, New York Times, 2 June 2026

In her early years at the helm in Norman, Kindler’s recruiting options paled in comparison to today’s. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Noun

This selection pales in comparison with RingEX, which supports models from dozens of brands, including Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, and Poly. —John Brandon, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026

Yorkshire Pecorino gleams pale, smooth, and yogurty. —Olivia Potts, Longreads, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing pale

• beyond the pale
• India pale ale
• pale ale
• pale by comparison
• pale imitation
• pale in/by comparison to/with
• pale into insignificance

Rhymes for pale

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

pale

1 of 3 adjective

ˈpā(ə)l 

paler; palest

1

a

: light in color or shade : not vivid

a pale pink

b

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

became pale

2

: 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

1

: a stake or picket of a fence

2

: an enclosed place

3

: 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