pallid

adjective

pal·​lid ˈpa-ləd How to pronounce pallid (audio)
1
: deficient in color : wan
a pallid countenance
2
: lacking sparkle or liveliness : dull
a pallid entertainment
The movie is a pallid version of the classic novel.
pallidly adverb
pallidness noun

Examples of pallid in a Sentence

The movie is a pallid version of the classic novel. a pallid man who looked as though he'd never seen the sun
Recent Examples on the Web This dish came in a silicone vessel even more innovative than the fake eyeball: a replica of a man’s bald, pallid head, severed just below the eyebrows. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 While Biden is no longer the nominee, a major part of Harris’ task early in the race has been rebuilding her predecessor’s pallid polling, especially in the Midwest and the Sun Belt, which are considered key for victory in November. Nico Lang, Them, 6 Aug. 2024 If the closet is old enough, its ties will show a whole social history of the pallid fifties turning into the ambivalent sixties turning into the florid seventies. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 July 2024 Personal experience is a powerful teacher, far more convincing than pallid statistics provided by scientific experts, even if the latter carry far greater evidentiary value. Elke U. Weber, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020 See all Example Sentences for pallid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pallid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin pallidus "pale, colorless" — more at pale entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pallid was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near pallid

Cite this Entry

“Pallid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pallid. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pallid

adjective
pal·​lid ˈpal-əd How to pronounce pallid (audio)
: lacking healthy color : pale
pallidly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pallid

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