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

• dull
• dulled
• faded
• light
• pale
• washed-out
• washy

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

This versatile crossbody comes in muted pastels, neutrals, and wear-with-everything black, and is also durable thanks to a water-repellent finish. —Jane Sung, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Nov. 2024

White, pastels, light-colored prints, and light gray should be placed in one pile. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Spinelli’s rhyming text and Preston’s sprightly pastel illustrations (reminiscent of Quentin Blake) will prompt gratitude for all the fun that can be conjured from the familiar. —Jennifer Hubert Swan, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Sweeney paired a pastel green blazer with a striped pleated skirt, a polka-dot tie, and ankle socks with pointed-toe heels for the event. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 23 Nov. 2024

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

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