1
a
: of or relating to a pastel
b
: made with pastels
2
: pale and light in color
3
: lacking in body or vigor
Synonyms
Examples of pastel in a Sentence
Noun
She has a collection of pastels.
She prefers a pastel like light yellow.
The room is painted in a pastel shade of blue.
Adjective
a pastel blue to go with the pale pink walls
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2023
The actress swapped her trademark blonde locks for a pastel pink 'do in September
Hayden Panettiere is revealing what inspired her to go pink.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023
The range includes a multitude of colorways like red and white, gray and pastel blue, and more.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023
Think pastels and fun, bold prints on high-fashion streetwear pieces.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The overall color palette was warm, as influenced by the proliferation of wood tones, but also used bold pops of color and creamy pastels.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
Choose from five different colors, including pastels.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023
Fanning out all around are several hundred pastel — and almost entirely empty — terraced buildings lining streets named Venice, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
World’s 50 Best Bars also highlights the establishment’s charming and adaptable pastel décor.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2023
Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
And nearly every inch of those square feet is a 1970s time capsule, with wood paneling galore, groovy wet bars, charmingly outdated wallpaper and a smattering of pastel colors setting the beat.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
The pieces ranged from traditional clothing like a pastel green leather trench coat and a red miniskirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
Available in traditional rainbow colors and a pastel version, this pinewood lamp makes an adorable gift.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 25 Oct. 2023
Visually, the collection was split into three groups, the first leading with pastel hues of green and pink, offering the traditional daytime spring pieces the ready-to-wear couturier has become known for.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 14 Sep. 2023
Both series of phones are also available in a variety of colors including pastel hues.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023
The equally cute pastel pink and pastel yellow color combo is also on sale for a slightly higher $75.14 ($4.85 off).
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
After more than a decade of bright whites and pastry pastels, new brutalism is grounding.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2023
The actress swapped her trademark blonde locks for a pastel pink 'do in September
Hayden Panettiere is revealing what inspired her to go pink.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023
The range includes a multitude of colorways like red and white, gray and pastel blue, and more.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023
Think pastels and fun, bold prints on high-fashion streetwear pieces.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2023
The overall color palette was warm, as influenced by the proliferation of wood tones, but also used bold pops of color and creamy pastels.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
Choose from five different colors, including pastels.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023
Fanning out all around are several hundred pastel — and almost entirely empty — terraced buildings lining streets named Venice, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023
World’s 50 Best Bars also highlights the establishment’s charming and adaptable pastel décor.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Also available are pretty pastel bags, including yellow, purple, and pink that’ll remind you that winter weather is only temporary and spring will eventually make its return.
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
And nearly every inch of those square feet is a 1970s time capsule, with wood paneling galore, groovy wet bars, charmingly outdated wallpaper and a smattering of pastel colors setting the beat.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
The music video, in which Tay swans around a Malibu mansion in a pastel two-piece, was more controversial.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
The pieces ranged from traditional clothing like a pastel green leather trench coat and a red miniskirt.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023
Available in traditional rainbow colors and a pastel version, this pinewood lamp makes an adorable gift.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 25 Oct. 2023
Visually, the collection was split into three groups, the first leading with pastel hues of green and pink, offering the traditional daytime spring pieces the ready-to-wear couturier has become known for.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 14 Sep. 2023
Both series of phones are also available in a variety of colors including pastel hues.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023
The equally cute pastel pink and pastel yellow color combo is also on sale for a slightly higher $75.14 ($4.85 off).
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pastel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastel. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pastel
1 of 2 noun
pas·tel
pas-ˈtel 
1
a
: a paste made of ground color and used for making crayons
b
: a crayon of such paste
2
: a drawing in pastel
3
: any of various pale or light colors
pastel
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or made with pastels
2
: pale and light in color
More from Merriam-Webster on pastel
Nglish: Translation of pastel for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pastel for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pastel
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