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

Noun

• friend
• buddy

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

In the photos, Jack was captured standing by a coffee table, which was surrounded by Justin and his pals, two of whom were playing guitars. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 8 July 2025

In fact, according to our pals at PEOPLE, he’s been making everything from mashed potatoes to brownies with Martha Stewart on her talk show since 2008. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025

Clarke and Derringer are now pals, gathering for an amicable chat in a London pub. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 3 July 2025

The movie again features Shameik Moore voicing Brooklyn teen Miles Morales and Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, aka Spider-Gwen, Miles’ pal from an alternate dimension. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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
• canal
• chorale
• corral
• ghazal
• 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