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

Those pals include her first friend, Tatum (Chloë Sevigny); her college bestie, Dru-Ann (Regina Hall); her mom friend, Brooke (D’Arcy Carden); and new pal Gigi (Gemma Chan). — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Our old pal Josh McDaniels had been Jones’ personal QB whisperer during the latter’s rookie season in 2021. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 July 2026

Earle, 25, suddenly appears from right where Norris, 26, is standing at the door, and proceeds down the steps with a pal. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Most include a meet and greet with characters, like Mickey and friends at Chef Mickey’s inside the Contemporary Resort, or Pooh and pals at Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 10 July 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