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

The final duo is of longtime veterans of the series and great pals behind the scenes, with that camaraderie coming across onstage. — Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Testimonials poured in from such pals as Bernadette Peters and Anderson Cooper, and from the reputed inspiration for Eloise herself, Liza Minnelli. — H. C. Wilentz, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026

But less well-known is Pennsylvania's very own paranormal pal, the squonk, which first made its debut in lumbermen's legends in the early 1900s. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Shortly, his close pal Jared Leppink joined Merritt in the woods and the two of them loaded the buck into an UTV. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 10 Nov. 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