pastel

1 of 2

noun

pas·​tel pa-ˈstel How to pronounce pastel (audio)
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

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
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nearly every inch of those square feet is a 1970s time capsule, with wood paneling galore, groovy wet bars, charmingly outdated wallpaper and a smattering of pastel colors setting the beat.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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastel was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near pastel

Cite this Entry

“Pastel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastel. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

pastel

1 of 2 noun
pas·​tel pas-ˈtel How to pronounce pastel (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pastel

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