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

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

The move rankled Davis’ pal Dean Martin, his daughter Deana told PEOPLE in a recent interview. —Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Unlike, say, pal Bella Hadid, who pops up at a rodeo wearing a genuine cowboy hat now and then, KenJen seems to be a city girl. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025

Want to get something meaningful to commemorate your pal’s first marathon or Ironman? —The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025

Anna Camp is the bride-to-be surprised by her old pal's skills, and the women team up for heroic shenanigans when the big event is crashed by a bunch of bad guys. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Dec. 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