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 of pastel

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

Bright blue sky and peaceful warm pastels contrast with gray for darker moods. —Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 June 2026

Boultier expresses similar views and suggests steering clear of muddy pastels like dusty lilac or pale mint green. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

Adjective

At the 2004 premiere of The Incredibles, the New Jersey native wore an all-pink look consisting of a camo-print skirt, pastel jacket, calf-high bow-front boots and a sequined purse, all topped with a furry stole. —Tanisha Bhat, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

The landscape rises into steep hills and Victorian and Edwardian architecture, painted in pastel colors and flowing with misty fog. —Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

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