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

The duo’s latest on-air interaction took place during Wednesday's broadcast of Anderson Cooper 360°, June 3, when Cohen surprised his pal with a celebratory cake and balloons to mark the occasion. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026

Heastie and his Democratic pals tried this in 2022 and the state courts rejected the ploy. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026

Creative’s one word for it, pal. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Tommy’s pal Dale comes in second place with 10 beers, followed by Cooper with four, Cooper’s crew with three in episode 1 and the retirement home folks with three in the season finale. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 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