pal

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpal 

: a close friend

palship

ˈpal-ˌship 

noun

pal

2 of 3

verb

palled; palling

intransitive verb

: to be or become pals : associate as pals

they've palled around for years

palship

3 of 3

noun (2)

pal·​ship ˈpalˌship 

: the relation existing between pals : informal intimacy

Synonyms of pal

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

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

Kippenberger and his pals Werner Büttner, Georg Herold, and the Oehlen brothers. — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The two women start to hang out again like college pals, gossiping and hip-hip dancing and — always – splitting a bottle of white wine. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

The 55-year-old artist has reportedly done the last few concerts in her pal’s absence with no issues. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Carter later told The Sacramento Bee that his life-long pal MC Hammer will be a special guest on Saturday. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

Romani phral, phal brother, friend, from Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother; akin to Old English brōthor brother

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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