pastel

1 of 2

noun

pas·​tel pa-ˈstel 

1

: a paste made of powdered pigment ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making crayons

also : a crayon made of such paste

2

a

: a drawing in pastel

b

: the process or art of drawing with pastels

3

: a light literary sketch

4

: any of various pale or light colors

pastel

2 of 2

adjective

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

Adjective

• pale
• faded
• light

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

Noun

Throughout summer 2025, Gomez has been at the forefront of this year's most minimalist nail trends—from simple purple pastels to nearly naked glass manicures—but that hasn't always been her preference. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 July 2025

Etro Vibrant and juicy, this zesty orange stands apart from this season’s pastels, transforming farmers market citrus and tropical island florals into wearable pieces. —Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 25 June 2025

Adjective

While it's most commonly seen in solid white, milk glass can also be slightly translucent or come in soft pastel colors like pale blue, pink, or green. —Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025

Amid a xylophone of pastel beach-front buildings, the old Belle Vue Royal Hotel is an anaemic yellow. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian pastello, from Late Latin pastellus woad, from diminutive of pasta

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pastel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

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 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made with pastels

2

: pale and light in color